DISD bands win at UIL

Members of the Woodrow Wilson Junior High School and Dayton High School bands participated in the Region 10 UIL Solo/Ensemble competition at Lumberton High School and came home with an unprecedented number of awards. In the junior high division, 152 WWJHS band members competed on Friday, Jan. 31. They earned a total of 142 first division medals in multiple events. This surpassed last year’s number of 124 medals. 

The DHS Bronco Band competed on Feb. 7. There were 81 DHS band members who participated in the competition and they earned a total of 96 first division medals in multiple events with 35 band students who qualified to advance to the UIL State Solo/Ensemble contest. 

The Dayton High School drumline competed in their first indoor drumline competition in over 10 years. The competition took place at Pasadena Memorial High School, and the students placed second in the PSAA division with a score of 73.75. They were only 1.3 points away from receiving first place. The judges were impressed with their work and have promoted the DHS drumline to a higher division where their skill level will shine.

The sport of indoor drumline includes interpretation of music at a high level, movement of dance and marching on a painted floor tarp, and several different aspects of acting and expression to portray the emotion of the music.

The drumline will continue to compete at the Cypress Falls contest on March 7 and again at Pasadena Memorial High School on March 21. The students could also have an opportunity to advance to the state championships at College Station on April 4.

Directors for the DISD Band Program include Head Band Director Kevin Heckaman, Assistant Band Director Christian Castillo, Assistant Band Director Daniel Williams, Assistant Band Director Betty Woods and Assistant Band Director Byron Malone.