Symphonic Band Program

Escape from Krypton

by Robert W. Smith

Although a chemical element, Krypton is also a fictional planet in comic book lore, and was home to everyone's favorite super hero, Superman. In the DC comics, Krypton exploded in a natural cataclysm just after the escape of Superman, whose scientist father foresaw the calamity and saved his baby son, Kal-El (a.k.a Superman), by sending him to Earth in a small spaceship. The ship landed in the American countryside, and baby Superman was discovered by the Kents, a farming couple who took him in as their own, named him Clark Kent, and raised him. Escape from Krypton (which is also the name of a popular Six Flags roller coaster) captures the energy and suspense of the dramatic escape. Biting dissonance, driving percussion and a soaring flight theme combine to create a musical experience that will not soon be forgotten. Up, Up and Away!

Heavy Metal

by Scott Watson

When most people hear the term "heavy metal," they probably think of the genre of rock music (also known as simply "metal") that developed in the late 1960's and early 1970's, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States. With roots in blues rock, psychedelic rock and acid rock, heavy metal bands developed a thick, monumental sound characterized by distortion, extended guitar solos and emphatic beats and loudness. A few of the most notable, early heavy metal artists include Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. However, in this piece, the term "heavy metal" has a double meaning. What's more, this little gem features the band's own "heavy metal" section, the low brass and low reeds. These instruments are literally made of heavy metal! With its driving rock beat, catchy "hook," and infectious power chord rhythm, Heavy Metal  is sure to inspire the inner rockstar within us all! 

Zig Zag

by Sean O'Loughlin

Zig Zag is an exciting composition that was commissioned by the Lakota Plains Junior School in Liberty, Ohio under the direction of Phillip Chumley. Mr. Chumley reached out to the composer, Sean O'Loughlin, and asked him to write a piece for his group. Zig Zag was one of the title suggestions from a student in the ensemble that caught Mr. O'Loughlin's eye from the start. The music portrays the experience of zigging and zagging throughout. The melody is jaunty with emphasis on typically weak beats like 2 and 4. There's an unexpected feeling to the music which Mr. O'Loughlin extremely explored. The contrasting slow section in the middle is a wonderful opportunity for dramatic and lyrical playing, and the main melody is woven here as a counter line. The fast section immediately returns to drive the energy straight to the rousing finish.

Honors Band Program

Velocity

by Larry Neeck

The term "velocity" refers to the directional speed of an object as an indication of its rate of change in position. It is a fundamental concept in kinematics, the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies. The piece Velocity, as the name implies, is fast-paced from start to finish, and the tempo remains constant throughout its entirety. The song utilizes mixed meter, meaning that the division of the beat changes unevenly. Because of that, you might notice that this song feels different than others, and it also requires a different conducting pattern from the director. While the tempo remains steady and unmoving, the moods presented in this work change throughout. You might notice changes in dynamics, or sound volume, particularly towards the end of the song, as the continual motion of the velocity builds to a forceful and exciting conclusion.

Fireball!

by Brian Beck / por Brian Beck

From the very first measure to the last note, Fireball! is an intense experience for band and audience members alike. This piece features a fast-paced tempo, marked as "vivace furioso," which is Italian for "lively, furious," meaning really fast and aggressive. This encompasses the speedy nature of a ball of fire hurdling through the sky.  Accents, shifting tones and lots of drastic effects are utilized to replicate the unrelenting and emphatic nature of fire. Once a fire is lit, it is difficult to extinguish. As it grows, it becomes all-encompassing and destroys everything in its path, until it is ultimately put out and stopped for good. This is reflected in the abrupt ending of the piece. Fireball! will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat!

Arabian Dances

by Roland Barrett

Sophia Chavez, Clarinet Soloist

Cassandra Leon Lopez, Flute Soloist

After a long day’s journey, the nomads set up camp for the evening.  As the sun casts its final searing rays on the desert landscape, a campfire roars to life and the celebration begins.  As the sky darkens, the festivities grow wilder and wilder until eventually, three groups of revelers take turns dancing at the edge of the fire, each trying to outdo the other.  Finally, the entire tribe joins, dancing wildly for hours until the campfire dims and the morning grows near. 

Personnel

Symphonic Band

Flute

Lizbeth Cabello

Lorenzo Garcia

Zuleyka Giron

Phoebe Gualito

Alanah Jackson*

Adriana Pelayo

Preslee Smith

Oboe

Leyla Alaniz

Clarinet

Marshall Aday

Valentina Calderon

Jimena Chavez Gonzalez

Jacob Constanza*+

Estrella Lopez

Alexis Martinez

Erick Rafael Aguilar

Evelin Soto-Enriquez

Keyla Vazquez

Bass Clarinet

Santiago Guel Contreras

Robert Rodriguez Jr.

Alto Sax

Christopher Salas Martinez

Diego Tovar Cabrera

Luis Umana Magana

Bari Sax

Melanie Ramirez

Trumpet

Jeramie Romo

Briana Velazquez

Horn

Jacquelyn Mora

Julianna Osorio

Trombone

Juan Acosta

Kingston Barker

Madison Toney

Euphonium

Roberto Cantu Azagoita

Juan Vazquez

Tuba

Marcus Arteaga

Vicente Camacho Ramirez Jr.

Andres Gonzalez

Percussion

La'Nyhia Bernard

RayShiyah Evans

Victor Puente Martinez

Christopher Soto

*denotes All-City Band member

+denotes All-Region Band member

Honors Band

Flute

Cassandra Leon Lopez*

Hannah Marie Montenegro*

Yuridia Perez-Cuevas*+

Judith Puente*

Arella Salinas*

Evelyn Santillan De Leon*

Maria Trejo*

Oboe

Amarie Brown*

Bassoon

Armando Guajardo**++

Jaxxon Zasimowich-White*

Clarinet

Sophia Chavez*+

Kiara Cohuo*

Emily Edwards*

Natalie Hernandez*

Yuridia Morales

Fabian Perez*+

Natalie Rodriguez*+

Judith Ronces*+

Alto Sax

Carlos Alba Torres*+

Andrew Calvillo*+

Hugo Rodriguez

Brianna Solis-Martinez

Raymond Tijerina*

Tenor Sax

Carolina Osorio

Bari Sax

Aston Gomez Estrada

Trumpet

Jonathan Flanagan

Frederick Goins*+

David Mendoza*

Steven Rodriguez*

Mauricio Saucedo Jr.

Kalani Webb*+

Horn

Padme Wong*+

Giselle Villafurte

Trombone

Gabriel Cabrera*+

Kryster Loza+

Kevin Maya-Ramos**++

Silvia Moreno*+

Euphonium

Jonathan Hernandez

Leandro Sarabia**+

Jesus Tijerina Jr.*

Tuba

Josue Nolasco*+

Michael Osterhoudt III

Itzayana Vazquez*+

Percussion

Madyson Bermudez*

Daniel Guzman*+

Sophia Herrera

*denotes All-City Band member 

**denotes first chair All-City Band

+denotes All-Region Band member

++denotes first chair All-Region Band 

Awards & Honors

All-City & All-Region

37 students earned a chair in the Mesquite All-City Band.

NEW SCHOOL RECORD

20 students earned a chair in the All-Region Band.

NEW SCHOOL RECORD

Solo & Ensemble

50 students earned a 1 on their solo. 

4  students earned a 1 with Honors on their solo. 

Jacob Constanza, Clarinet

Armando Guajardo, Bassoon

Hugo Rodriguez, Alto Sax

Josue Nolasco, Tuba

9 ensembles earned a 1.

1 ensemble earned a 1 with Honors.

Honors Band Clarinets

Symphonic Band Awards

Earned a 1st Division trophy at the Epic Waters Music Festival

Earned Straight 1's at the Poteet Pre-UIL Contest

FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Earned Non-Varsity Best-In-Class at the Poteet Pre-UIL Contest

FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Earned the Sweepstakes Award at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (Straight 1's)

FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Honors Band Awards

Earned a 1st Division trophy at the Epic Waters Music Festival

Earned Straight 1's at the Poteet Pre-UIL Contest

Earned CC Varsity Best-In-Class at the Poteet Pre-UIL Contest

FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY

Earned the Sweepstakes Award at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation (Straight 1's)

Student Achievement Awards

Symphonic Band Espirit de Corp Award

Jacob Constanza

Honors Band Espirit de Corp Award

Cassandra Leon-Lopez 

John Kline Award for Band

Alanah Jackson

Director's Award for Band

Daniel Guzman

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