Every two years, the chance to advance to Area competition comes around for the band. On Oct. 15, the band went to Hondo and earned a division I rating, advancing them to Area competition for the first time since 2008.

“When the band earned a division I, I was so happy,” sophomore Jonathan Silva said. “I was filled with excitement, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.”

To prepare for the Region 11 UIL Marching Contest, the Warhorse Band participated in two pre-contests.

“Pre- contests help give us pointers on how we can improve our marching,” junior Veronica Cardenas said. “As you can see, we have done a smashing job with the help from the comments.”

The first contest the band attended was the Hill Country Marching Festival in Fredericksburg. They earned a division I rating from the judges and placed second over all.

“I was so surprised when we placed second at our first contest,” freshman Veronica Silva said. “It was my first contest and it was a wonderful experience.”

The band placed second in the class 4-A division again at the Harlendale Marching Festival on Oct. 8. Along with placing second, they earned a division I rating.

“I felt super proud that we ranked second amongst our competitors at our second contest,” senior Tristan Woods said.

While having the same basic format for the contests, the Region contest differs from the pre-contests because the bands aren’t ranked, it’s a competition against only your band to advance.

“Competing against yourself is a mind game,” sophomore Taylor DuBose said. “Every competition you leave it all out on the field, but somehow you wish you could’ve done better. When they call out your band’s name with a division I ranking it’s an extremely accomplishing feeling.”

Earning a division I is the highest division a band can earn. The Warhorse Band received this rating at the Region 11 Marching Contest from the judges.

“When I heard that our band earned a division I, I felt very excited and relieved because the suspense was over and all of our hard work paid off,” sophomore Sara Moreno said.

The band advanced to the Area competition for the first time in eight years. They competed in Corpus Christi and placed 21 among 31 bands.

“Our performance at the Area competition was the best one that we have ever accomplished,” sophomore Derek Weinstrom said. “Everything fell into place leading to a great show.”

The Warhorse Marching Band has had a successful marching season with great results from all of the contests they attended. The State contest is on Nov. 7 in San Antonio at the Alamodome.

“The band had a great season overall and it’s the best we’ve done in a really long time,” Assistant Band Director Tom Settles said. “Placing second at the pre-contests boosted our moral and helped with how well we did at the Region and Area contests.”