Accomplishments and Recordings
OPS (Outstanding Performance Series)
"The ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series is a program designed to annually select the most outstanding Class 1C, 2C/3C middle school that feeds an ATSSB-eligible high school, 1A/2A, 3A, and 4A concert band performances in the state of Texas each year. A compact disc of the winning selections will be made available to all high school band directors who are current members of ATSSB and to public radio stations that will broadcast the performances. It will provide a series of recordings that demonstrate the highest level at which Texas small school bands perform." - 2018 OPS Handbook
Recordings compete in two categories- concert and march. Concert pieces are selected from the UIL Prescribed Music List. The top two recordings in the concert category and the top ranked march are sent to every band director in Texas on CD with all of the OPS winners in each category.
Recordings compete at the Region, Area, and state level. Below is a list of all EMS State qualifying recordings and their state rankings each year:
OPS State Results
Click Title for the Eastland MS Honor Band's Recording of Each Piece
2017
El Relicario by Michael Story- 4th Place March
2018
Fortis by Gary Gazlay- 7th Place Concert
Into the Arctic by Brian Balmages- 1st Place Concert
Darklands March by Randell Standridge- 5th place March
2019
Bazaar by Randell Standridge- 12th Place Concert
TMEA Honor Band Competition
TMEA Honor Band is a recording competition. Performances of each band's total UIL performance (all three pieces) are judged as whole. 1st place state winners in each division perform at the TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) in San Antonio.
From the TMEA Honor Band Handbook:
"The concept of the Honor Band originated during the term of Joe Frank, Sr., who served as Band Division Chair from 1958 to 1960. The purpose was twofold. Many educators believed that through the process of hearing and observing the results of quality teaching, directors could develop their own instructional skills to a higher level. In addition, selection of an honor band in each classification recognized communities and school systems that successfully supported music in education through their instrumental music programs."