BEGINNER BAND

Conducted by Mike Major & Kayla Crowley

Program

Inception

Composed by Joseph Compello

The term "inception" refers to the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity.  Composer Joseph Compello wrote this original concert overture to signify the beginning of a band journey, and to inspire beginner band students to continue. Inception uses the first six notes of the Bb-major scale, a scale our beginners have been working on since the first month of playing their instruments. 

Inception is also a name of a popular 2010 science fiction action film, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie explores themes of dreams and the human subconscious. Whether the movie was inspiration for Joseph Compello's creation of the piece is unclear. However, we have certainly used the epic-ness and action-fueled nature of the film to influence our interpretation of the music.

Mechanical Monsters

Composed by Randall Standridge

Mechanical Monsters was born out of composer Randall Standridge's love of two things: B-monster movies from the 50's and 60's and teaching beginning band. In this work, the sounds of metal and gears are used to overlay a repeating, plodding groove that suggests something shambling it's way across a darkened countryside, drawing ever closer to the unsuspecting city dwellers, completely unaware of the havoc that is about to befall them. 

In this piece, every performer gets to be a percussionist, as there is a section that requires wind players to tap their stands with a pencil to replicate the sound of the monsters' first steps after its activation. You will also hear the performer make an energetic "hiss" sound to represent the steam that is released from the monsters' neck bolts. 

Get ready for imminent destruction, and enjoy Mechanical Monsters!

CONCERT BAND

Conducted by Mike Major

Program

Vulcan Rising!

Composed by Amy Webb

Vulcan Rising! brings to life the fiery legend of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire, volcanoes, and the forge. This exciting piece tells the story of his dramatic emergence from deep within the mountains—where molten rock churns and ancient flames glow. As the music begins, we hear the first rumblings of an awakening volcano. Slowly, Vulcan rises from the ashes, his hammer in hand, casting sparks into the sky.

The powerful themes and bold rhythms reflect his strength and mastery over fire and metal, while quieter moments capture the mystery and awe of the Roman people as they witness the god’s appearance. Designed for beginner band, this piece uses strong dynamics, driving percussion, and dramatic contrasts to paint a vivid musical portrait of a mighty force from Roman mythology.

Vulcan Rising! is a thrilling journey into ancient myth—a celebration of power, creation, and fire brought to life through sound.

Dark Star

Composed by Christina Huss

Inspired by a real article about an asteroid narrowly missing Earth, Dark Star takes listeners on a thrilling ride through space. Composer Christina Huss imagined the urgency and tension of an enormous celestial body hurtling toward our planet, uncertain whether it would strike or pass us by.

From the opening moments, the music evokes the cold vastness of space and the growing intensity of the asteroid’s approach. Using trills, dynamic shifts, syncopated rhythms, and bold melodies with rich countermelodies, Dark Star creates a sense of motion, suspense, and high-stakes drama.

Composed especially for young band students, this piece offers both performers and audiences an exciting musical adventure—one that captures the wonder and danger of the cosmos, and the razor-thin line between disaster and relief.

Personnel

Clarinet

Jordan Botello

Katie Cullen

Alanna Serna

Gelimer Tejada Dominguez

Alto Sax

Isaac Perez

Julian Trevino Hernandez

Trumpet

Daniela Avila

William Rodriguez

Christopher Ruiz

Aaron Sanchez

Jorge Sanchez

Angelo Zuniga

Horn

Levi Buentello

Candy Vallejo Trejo

Sofia Vazquez

Euphonium

Emmanuel Hernandez

Stephen Mata Jr.

William Nieto

Jacob Osterhoudt

Tuba

Jordy Figueroa Castanada

Isaiah Miles

Awards & Honors

Individual

Solo & Ensemble

12 students earned a 1 on their solo. 

1 student earned a 1 with Honors on their solo. 

Christopher Ruiz, Trumpet

The Concert Band Ensemble earned a 1

Full Band

Earned Good Ratings at the Poteet Pre-UIL Contest

Director Awards

Section of the Year

Euphoniums

Esprit de Corps Award

Alanna Serna

Concert Band Outstanding Student Award

Christopher Ruiz

SYMPHONIC BAND

Conducted by Kayla Crowley

Program

Fireball!

Composed by Brian Beck

Hold on tight! Fireball! is a high-energy musical thrill ride that captures the explosive speed and intensity of a blazing fireball streaking through the sky. From the very first note, this piece races forward with relentless momentum, using fast-paced rhythms, bold dynamics, and fiery melodies to create a sense of unstoppable motion.

The fast-paced tempo (marked as "vivace furioso," which is Italian for "lively, furious") reflects the fast, aggressive 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. That is, until it is ultimately put out and stopped for good. This is portrayed in the abrupt ending of the piece. 

Fireball! an exciting musical adventure that’s as fun to play as it is to hear—full of power, excitement, and sparks flying in every direction!

Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

Arranged by Michael Story

Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) is a lyrical and evocative arrangement based on the beloved Japanese folk tune "Sakura Sakura," which celebrates the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms in spring. The piece captures both the serenity and transience of these iconic flowers, long celebrated in Japanese culture as a symbol of renewal and the fleeting nature of life.

The clarinet section opens the piece with a gentle, expressive statement of the main melody, their warm tone echoing the graceful descent of falling petals. The melody is then passed to the flutes, whose sound adds a new dimension of color and brightness. Gradually, the entire band joins in, building the music into a rich, flowing tapestry of sound that honors the tradition of the original folk tune., while expanding it with the full palette of the concert band.

This arrangement invites listeners to pause, reflect, and appreciate the quiet beauty found in both nature and music.

Dark Ride

Composed by Randall Standridge

Dark Ride is intended to evoke the experience one might feel on a moonlit night, riding through a darkened forest. 

The shadows stretch out across the ground, the wind howls, and owls may be heard hooting in the distance. Suddenly, a twig snaps behind you. You race into the darkness, fleeing from whatever made the sound.

The air grows colder. The trees seem to press in tighter with every stride. Your horse snorts nervously, hooves striking harder, faster, as if it too senses what you can’t see. Something is behind you. And it’s gaining.

You glance back—nothing. But the silence is too loud. The night is too still. Then comes the sound: a rush of footsteps, too many for any single creature, thundering in sync with your own. They're closer now. Much closer.

You can feel it now, right behind you. Hot breath? A shadow? You don’t know. You just know you can’t stop. Not here. Not in this forest where the moonlight barely touches the ground and the path ahead disappears into blackness.

The only choice left is to ride harder, faster—into the unknown.

Because if you slow down...

It will catch you.

Personnel

Flute

Kiana Arango

Celeste Casas

Micah Cochran-Alvarado

Gizelle Gutierrez

Londynn Pacheco

Kimberly Pantoja-Ojeda

Oboe

Alexandria Zachery

Bassoon

Mariam Ahmed

Derrick Shaddox

Clarinet

Rose Andrade

Maritza Camacho Ledesma

Sahir Diego

Jackelyn Garcia

Amy Hernandez

Lenndy Hurtado

Juliette Licea Marrufo

Katherine Lopez

Fernando Luna Cardona

Zaria Perry

Bass Clarinet

Ivan Guardiola

Dylan Soto

Alto Sax

Stephany Chavez

Je'Marean Edwards

Joel Ramos Jr.

Luis Vazquez

Joseph Woodard

Tenor Sax

Alma Espinoza

Bari Sax

JuanCarlos Garza Iracheta

Trumpet

Joshua Alejos

Pedro De Luna

Kendrick Gabino

Justin Garcia

Moises Hernandez

Judah Hernandez Medina

Miriam Lopez

Epifanio Martinez-Quintero*

Damian Olivares

Derek Salazar Sarceno

Alan Vazquez

Horn

Erick Carillo

Jacob Lua*

Abram Mosley

Erik Stephens

Trombone

Quintin Hoston Jr.

Anthony Mata

Ian Prewitt

Andrew Sandoval Hernandez

Euphonium

Eden Bocanegra

Julian Munoz

Miguel Perez

Tuba

Joaquin Alvarez

Alberto Miranda-Vazquez

Sebastian Moreno

Santiago Osorio

Percussion

Mason Davis

Mechelle Ericson

*denotes All-City Band Member

Awards & Honors

Individual

All-City & All-Region

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

Solo & Ensemble

32 students earned a 1 on their solo. 

6 students earned a 1 with Honors on their solo. 

Juliette Licea Marrufo, Clarinet

Alma Espinoza, Tenor Saxophone

Kendrick Gabino, Trumpet

Erick Carrillo, Horn in F

Quintin Hoston Jr., Trombone

Sebastian Moreno, Tuba

3 ensembles earned a 1

2 ensembles earned a 1 with Honors

Trumpets

Low Brass & Low Reeds

Full Band

Earned Superior Ratings at the Epic Waters Music Festival

Earned Best-In-Class at the Epic Waters Music Festival

Earned Superior Ratings at the Poteet Pre-UIL Contest

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

Director Awards

Section of the Year

Tubas

Esprit de Corps Award

Kendrick Gabino

John Kline Award for Band

Epifanio Martinez-Quintero

HONORS BAND

Conducted by Mike Major

Awards & Honors

Individual

All-City & All-Region

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

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

Solo & Ensemble

45 students earned a 1 on their solo. 

10  students earned a 1 with Honors on their solo. 

Vanessa Gonzalez, Flute

Sophia Constanza, Clarinet

Giovanni Bahena, Alto Saxophone

Jayden Zamarripa, Horn

Lailah Etter, Trombone

Ahmaiya Sanchez, Euphonium

Angel Valle Ruiz, Tuba

Oscar Vazquez Santillan, Tuba

Freybin Hernandez, Snare Drum

Freybin Hernandez, Keyboard

 4 ensembles earned a 1

1 ensemble earned a 1 with Honors

Percussion

Full Band

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

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

Director Awards

Section of the Year

Tubas

Esprit de Corps Award

Mariah Villa

Director's Award for Band

Vanessa Gonzalez

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