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(Photo/Alex Kielar) The Pride of Breckenridge BHS Band trumpet section performs during the homecoming game halftime show Friday, Sept. 19. The band advanced to the UIL area competition set for Saturday, Nov. 1 after earning a Division 1 score at the regional contest. -
(Photo/Alex Kielar) Pride of Breckenridge BHS Band Director Joe Barrow talked about how this year’s band has worked well at improving each time out with a show theme, “Groovy,” designed to be more challenging. The band has advanced to the UIL area competition taking place Saturday, Nov. 1 in Denton. -
(Photo/Alex Kielar) After earning a Division 1 score at the UIL regional contest Saturday, Oct. 18 in Stephenville, the Pride of Breckenridge BHS Band had advanced to the state competition taking place Saturday, Nov. 1 in Denton. -
(Photo/Alex Kielar) The Pride of Breckenridge BHS Band performs their “Groovy” halftime show earlier this year. The band will be performing in the UIL area competition Saturday, Nov. 1 in Denton after earning the needed Division 1 score at the regional contest Saturday, Oct. 18.
After a strong performance at the UIL Region 7 Marching Contest in Stephenville, The Pride of Breckenridge BHS Band has advanced to UIL Area competition in Denton.
In the UIL Region contest held Saturday, Oct. 18, the BHS band received a Division 1 rating–a superior rating, which is the highest possible score, qualifying them for advancement to area competition. The rating is determined by a panel of judges who rank the bands based on their performance.
The area competition takes place Saturday, Nov. 1 at C.H. Collins Stadium in Denton.
If the BHS band advances to the state contest in San Antonio, prelims and finals for 3A will take place Wednesday, Nov. 12. From the area competition, the top four bands advance to state out of the 24 bands performing.
"We're in a really good position. The students are working really hard,” BHS Band Director Joe Barrow said. “We are taking the judges' comments and improving our show even more to get better results.”
According to the UIL marching band state archives, the last and only time that the Breckenridge band advanced to the state competition was 1998, not getting past the preliminary round.
Barrow described how this year’s show theme, “Groovy” –with late ‘60s and early ‘70s music by bands like The Beatles and Blood, Sweat and Tears, was designed to be a bit more challenging for the band members.
“I feel like the students are rising to the occasion. If we can do what the judges suggest, we will be in a pretty good position at area,” Barrow said.
While the underlying theme remains the same, each show that the band has put on this year has been a bit different and the community has shown support.
“We appreciate the support from the community,” Barrow said. “There has been positive support from the community and school administration. Principal Paul Armstrong and Superintendent Prairie Freeman have been super supportive.”
Barrow added that there isn’t any particular member of the band that is above anyone else.
“The students have come together and worked as a team to be successful, and I appreciate their attitude,” he said. “They are constantly looking to improve.”
With only a few football games remaining, the band has a couple special shows planned.
Notably for the game taking place on Halloween at Sweetwater, the band members will be wearing Halloween costumes.
Then for the final game Friday, Nov. 7, which is Senior Night, they will have their glowout performance. The glowout show is the band’s annual tradition of having a big light show with stadium lights turned off. The junior high band members will also join in on the performance, playing from the stands.
