The Mineola High School Sound of the Swarm marching band began its state title defense Tuesday afternoon, earning a first division rating at the region contest in Mt. Pleasant to advance to the area competition Saturday in Lindale. Their show is ‘Hometown’ and pays tribute to Mineola through various props including a mock up of the downtown gazebo, period lights and enlarged photos of iconic downtown buildings. Here, drum major Maddie Tucker directs a brass section. “It’s been different this year,” says director Chris Brannon of ‘Hometown.’ “This show just hits the hearts of so many people.” The band students work on it every day, so the positive outcome wasn’t unexpected, but the reaction to the show from judges and other directors is that it is well-crafted and emotional. “That’s cool; that’s different; that’s not something that happens all day long,” Brannon wanted to convey to his musicians.