Frisco ISD marching bands are celebrating a very accomplished fall contest season that included two state medalists, three state qualifiers and dozens of regional awards.
Over 2,100 high schoolers participate in marching band, which is often the largest student organization on an FISD campus. These students and their directors work tirelessly through the hot summer months, from before sunrise to after sunset, to learn, perfect and perform their annual fall contest shows.
While their eyes are on big wins, students are also learning life skills they’ll carry with them past graduation.
“Band is a place where students discover that they can accomplish something together that none of them could create alone,” said Chris Cansler, assistant director of fine arts. “Every student has a responsibility to the people around them, and every contribution matters. Through months of rehearsals, they learn to work through problems, take pride in small improvements and help one another succeed. Along the way, they create art that moves people and find a place to belong.”
Congratulations to the 12 accomplished high school marching band programs of Frisco ISD — as well as the directors who have guided them and the families, school staff, administrators and community who have supported them all fall.
Centennial
Directors: Andy Rein, Ashley Kay, Michael Hernandez, Lauren Flores and Gracie Bazan
Show: “A Suite for Sweets”
Mesquite Marching Festival
1st Division
Don Hanna Marching Classic
6th Place Overall
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
6th Place in Prelims
8th Place in Finals
Emerson
Directors: Bryn Roberts, Ryan Langer, Brenley Rowland, Bryan Ayala, Ryan Hurford and Ivy Deel
Show: “Fuse”
Wylie Marching Invitational
3rd Place in 5A
5th Place Overall
McKinney Marching Invitational
4th Place in 5A
9th Place Overall
BOA North Dallas
5th Place in 3A Prelims
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
1st Division
Frisco
Directors: David Simon, Matthew Courtney, Heath Dillard, Toby Leikness and Michael Patri
Show: “The Sound of Color”
Aubrey Marching Classic
7th Place in Prelims
9th Place in Finals
1st Place Color Guard in Prelims and Finals
US Bands Burleson Regional
5th Place in Group 3 Prelims
6th Place Overall in Finals
UIL Region Marching Contest
“Excellent” Rating
Heritage
Directors: Logan Stone, Jenna Lenhard, Alan Brawdy, Felicity Sanchez and Duane Long
Show: “The Euphoria of Peril”
Wylie Marching Invitational
4th Place in 5A
7th Place Overall
McKinney Marching Invitational
5th Place in 5A
10th Place Overall
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
12th Place in Prelims
Independence
Directors: Daniel King, Arianna Parks, Stephen Seymour, Taylor Tucker and Sam Koch
Show: “Unmasqued”
Wylie Marching Invitational
2nd Place in 5A
3rd Place Overall
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
7th Place in Prelims
9th Place in Finals
Lebanon Trail
Directors: Kelly Wykoff, Matthew Schaul, Mikayla Moreno, Benji Baker, Seth Thomas and Desmond Bigler
Show: “Carmina”
HEB Drumline Contest
1st Place in 5A Advanced
Outstanding Snare Line, Tenor Line, Bass Line and Front Ensemble
North Texas Drumline Contest
1st Place in Medium Division
Best Snare Line
Melissa Marching Showcase
4th Place in Prelims
3rd Place in Finals
McKinney Marching Invitational
1st Place in 5A
3rd Place Overall
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
2nd Place in Prelims
3rd Place in Finals - Advance to State Marching Contest
UIL 5A State Marching Band Championships
3rd Place in State
Bronze Medalist
Liberty
Directors: Ana Hinojosa Santi, Kyle Foster, Thomas Borgman, Scott Mills and Mike Park
Show: “Of Two Minds”
Forney Percussion Contest
9th Place
Melissa Marching Showcase
14th Place
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
11th Place
Lone Star
Directors: Mark Poole, Tim Hickman, Christopher Adler, Emilio Monreal, Wade Quinn, Justin Madrid and Eloy Trevino
Show: “Endeavor”
Melissa Marching Showcase
2nd Place Overall
Top 5A Band
Don Hannah Marching Contest
Grand Champion
Best Music, Percussion, Guard, General Effect
BOA Propser
2nd Place in Class AAA
8th Place Overall
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
Area B Marching Contest
2nd Place in Finals - Advanced to State Marching Contest
UIL 5A State Marching Band Championships
2nd Place in State
Silver Medalist
Memorial
Directors: Mark Teal, Eduardo Garcia, Jr., Jacob Carter-Brown, Emily Myers and Jace Harris
Show: “The Grand Illusion”
Melissa Marching Showcase
19th Place
USBands Burleson
1st in Class in Prelims
Outstanding Music and Outstanding Percussion in Prelims
4th Place Overall in Finals
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
10th Place in Prelims and Finals
Panther Creek
Directors: Kent Wallis, Jayden Bernal, Antuon Lopez, Katharine Mize and Timothy Yap
Show: “HydroDynamics”
Melissa Marching Showcase
8th Place Overall in Prelims
3rd Place in 5A and 7th Place Overall in Finals
Don Hanna Memorial Marching Contest
2nd Place in 5A
2nd Place Overall
Visual Caption Winner
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
9th Place in Prelims
6th Place in Finals
Reedy
Directors: Logan Stalcup, Jack Zellar, Scott Baldwin, Danny Martinez and Emily Magee
Show: “Drawn Together”
Wylie Marching Invitational
1st Place in Prelims and Finals - Grand Champions
Class 5A Champion
Music, Visual, and Percussion Caption Winners
McKinney Marching Invitational
6th Place Overall
2nd in Class 5A
Bands of America North Dallas Regional
13th Place Overall
4th Place in Class AAA
Class AAA Visual Caption Winners
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
UIL 5A Area B Marching Contest
4th Place in Prelims and Finals - Advance to State Marching Contest
UIL 5A State Marching Band Championships
10th Place in State
Wakeland
Directors: Amanda Mariño-Stevenson, Kyle Ayoub, Kaitlyn Norwood, Brian Teed, Ryan Blankenship and Aly Baker
Show: “Sacred Spaces”
HEB Drumline Contest
9th Place Overall in 6A
North Texas Drumline Contest
6th Place Overall
BOA Mid-Cities
2nd Place in 3A in Prelims
12th Place Overall in Finals
UIL Region Marching Contest
1st Division
BOA Waco
4th Place in Class AAA
13th Overall in Prelims
- Rachel McReynolds