Mineola High School’s Sound of the Swarm is headed back to San Antonio after taking first place at the UIL Class 3A Area C marching contest Saturday, Oct. 24, in Whitehouse.
The band will compete at the UIL State Marching Band Championships Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Alamodome following a season of challenging music, long rehearsals and adjustments under a new head band director.
For head drum major Jarezi Delgadillo, earning another trip to state made the work worthwhile.
“I was excited and so grateful that we had this opportunity. All the hard work and practice had paid off, and it felt amazing knowing we had made it that far,” Delgadillo said.
Senior Daysen Cook summed up the excitement with a simple message: “WOOOOO ONE MORE STATE RUN.”
Cook, who said adjusting to a new head band director was one of the challenges this season, also recognized the importance of his final year with the band.
“‘Last time, best time,’ 1st at area once again, wouldn’t want to be anywhere else yesterday and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else other than the dome on the 4th,” Cook said.
For Peyton Kenny of the Mineola Color Guard, qualifying also meant getting one more competition with her senior friends.
Senior Julianne “Juju” Coats said the band was ready to compete Saturday.
“As a senior it was a great day, everyone was focused and energized and that is what the results showed,” Coats said.
Students said the season brought several challenges, from learning difficult music to staying focused through long rehearsals and back-to-back football games and competitions.
Freshman Jackson Snook said memorizing the music was particularly difficult.
“One of the most challenging feats our band students overcame was learning difficult musical runs throughout the performance. Our music is difficult to play and then to memorize.”
Percussion leader Layne McLemore said his biggest challenge was learning to lead his section while keeping rehearsals productive and enjoyable.
Assistant drum major Callee White said accountability was another area where the band had to improve.
“Our biggest challenge this season has been accountability but we have overcome that by having our leaders staying on top of things, making a positive environment, and getting our job done.”
Freshman flute player Gracie Harris said the busy schedule could be tiring, particularly when football games were followed by competitions the next day. Remembering how much being part of the band meant to her helped her push through.
This year’s show, “What Lies Beneath,” challenges students musically while encouraging them to look deeper and give their best effort.
“What makes this year’s show special for me is the meaning of what lies beneath, because it shows digging deeper and finding what makes you go the extra mile,” White said.
McLemore said the music has been unlike anything he has played before. One of his favorite moments is a solo at the beginning of the second piece.
“I’ve never had a solo in a show before, so this is very cool to me,” McLemore said.
For Snook, the season has been especially memorable because he gets to compete alongside his sister, Maddy, a senior.
“This year is very special to our family because my sister and I get to compete together. My sister, Maddy, and I spur one another on to excellence,” Snook said.
The relationships among band members have also been an important part of the season.
Kaylee Cook said students support one another both on and off the field.
“We work hard together, hold each other accountable, love one another, and genuinely care about each other. We check on each other and make sure everyone is okay. We celebrate each other’s successes and help each other through the hard times. That’s what makes us a family,” Cook said.
For sophomore Bellah Gonzalez, the trip to state continues a family tradition. Both of her parents are band directors, and her two older sisters were part of Mineola bands that qualified for state.
“It’s really special to be on the field at state all together,” Gonzalez said.
Coats said the band is a place where students can be themselves without feeling embarrassed.
As Mineola prepares for state, Delgadillo hopes the judges and audience recognize what the students have put into their performance.
“I want them to remember our dedication, our energy, and how much heart we put into our performance. I want them to see how hard we worked to get there,” Delgadillo said.
The Sound of the Swarm is scheduled to perform at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.