Brownwood News – The Brownwood High School Concert Band competed in April at the UIL Region 7 Concert & Sight Reading Contest and earned a first-division rating from all the judges. When combined with the first-division the band earned at the UIL marching contest, the band received the coveted UIL Sweepstakes Award. This marked the 13th consecutive sweepstakes award for the BHS Band, though the band’s competition season wasn’t over just yet. 

 

 

Texas high school bands are only eligible to advance to the UIL State Marching contest every other year. On the years when they cannot advance in marching, the bands can compete to advance to the state level with their concert bands in the Texas Music Educators Association’s Honor Band competition. The BHS Concert Band has accomplished just that. 

“The process is much different than marching contests because the students don’t load buses and travel to put on competing live concerts,” explained BHS Band Director, David Lambert. “For this contest the directors submit a recording of the band’s UIL concert music and these recordings are judged by a panel of five judges.”

On June 2, at the Region 7 Honor Band judging session, Stephenville and Brownwood won the top two spots and advanced to Area. On June 21st, at the Area “A” Honor Band judging session, Brownwood earned first place. The Brownwood Lion Concert Band made BHS history by becoming the TMEA Area “A” Honor Band Champions and advancing to the TMEA State Honor Band Contest. 

“This is a huge accomplishment for the Brownwood Band,” noted Lambert. “We set a goal way back in August during summer band, and it was to be the very best band that we could be. Not to be satisfied with just a first division, or a sweepstakes, but to be the very best we could be. I’d say the kids reached that this year. They worked hard every day. I’m so proud of them and extremely happy to see them reach this level of success. They don’t call it Honor Band for nothing, so it is a huge honor to reach this level of competition. I feel so blessed to be a part of this band and be able to work with the great kids here in Brownwood. Way to go band!” 

The State Honor Band Contest containing the top sixteen 4A bands in the state will be held in San Antonio at the end of July during the annual Texas Bandmasters meeting and convention. 

Brownwood ISD and the BHS Band thanks the community for their continued support for Brownwood’s hometown band!