On Oct. 15th, the Greenville High School “Lion Pride” Band competed in the Northeast Texas (NETEX) Marching Invitational competition at Texas A&M University-Commerce. The band received straight Division I ratings in all categories and were awarded the Outstanding Band distinction in class 5A.

At the end of the contest, Drum Majors from each school were asked to step onto the football field for scores to be announced. Drum Majors from each school were then called forward one at a time in alphabetical order to have their scores announced in front of the crowd. GHS received Division I ratings across the board. Division I is the highest rating awarded and is difficult to achieve in all categories. Additionally, judges are allowed to choose one “Outstanding Band” per class for the competition and GHS was selected for class 5A. The Drum Majors for GHS, who received the award, are Kolton Evans and Saul Rodriguez.

“I wish I could explain what their [Evans and Rodriguez] faces looked like when our name was called for the Outstanding Band distinction,” said GHS Director of Bands, Joel Weisberg. “The crowd went wild,” he said.

On Oct. 26th, the band competed at the Region 3 UIL Marching Contest at Mesquite Memorial Stadium where the band received straight Division I ratings in every category for the second consecutive contest. “This is such a cool thing for our seniors this year,” said Weisberg, “they’ve received Division I ratings in marching all four years that they’ve been here. That is truly excellence in action,” he said.

Most recently, on Monday, Dec. 5th, GHS Band members competed in the Region 3 All-Region Band auditions at Berkner High School, where two Lion Pride Band members made the All-Region Band. Laura Foote, a senior at GHS, received first place honors for baritone saxophone and Darren Thiessen, also a senior at GHS, received second place for trumpet. Their placements in the All-Region competition have qualified both students to audition for the All-State Band, where a total of 21 trumpeters and three baritone saxophonists will be chosen for the band.