The Beat Goes On

The music doesn’t stop when football season is over, Sulphur Springs High School Band Director Spencer Emmert said. In fact, he said, after marching season concludes, the work in the Wildcat Band is really just beginning.

“What most people see on Friday night is the result of a lot of hard work from our students. What most people don’t realize is that these students have so many more events that they work for, compete in and have great success in, well after the Friday night season ends,” Emmert said.

The band began the spring semester with the Area qualifiers traveling to Berkner High School in Richardson Jan. 11 to audition for places in the All-State Band. The Wildcat Band students advancing to the Area level were: Cameron Beard, clarinet; Nathan Braddy, trumpet; Elizabeth Lopez, piccolo and flute; Zach Phillips, horn; Anthony Arroyo, trombone; and Matthew Sherman, alto saxophone.

“The students all had a great run at auditions, and while we did not have any advancements beyond Area, it was great to see our placements continue to rise at this very competitive level,” said Emmert.

All-Region clinic and concert was held at Mount Pleasant High School Jan. 24–25. Students earned the honor by preparing difficult musical etudes, auditioning against every band program in the Region, and placing high enough to be named to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 4 All-Region Honor Band.

Sulphur Springs had 20 students make the Region Band. Those earning a place in the Wind Ensemble were Anthony Arroyo, Nathan Braddy, Cameron Beard, Zach Phillips, Elizabeth Lopez, Matthew Sherman and Galilea Sosa. Students earning a place in the Symphonic Band were Jose Mejia, Tristen Stewart, Adam Ost, John Moser, Ty Connally, Kaden Kirkland, Kendall Little, Alex Botello, Joel Villarino, Avery Moss, Miranda Baugh, Jakson Medelline and Tyler Burnett.

These students were taught by educator-clinicians Mr. Phillip Clements, director of bands at Texas A&M-Commerce, and Mr. Robert Vetter, retired director of bands from Robinson ISD near Waco. The students prepared for and performed a full concert with only 7 hours of rehearsal.

“This is always an impressive thing to witness, when these students are able to sound so good on difficult literature with only playing together for a small period of time on Friday evening and Saturday morning,” Emmert said.

The Wildcat Band announced also a new ensemble in the department: the first-ever Wildcat Winter Guard program.

“This is a competitive circuit that has seen tremendous growth recently in our area,” Emmert said.

The group is centered on the Color Guard section of the marching band. Students prepare a full show, consisting of choreography, weapons spinning and dancing to recorded music. The shows are complete with a full storyline, props and costumes. The group are then judged on precision and fundamental execution of the activity at competitions that are organized by the Metroplex-based North Texas Color Guard Association.

The Wildcat Band has a new Color Guard instructor, Anthony Pierotti, who began in fall 2019.

“We have been so proud of these students with what they are accomplishing and so thankful for Mr. Pierotti’s excellent instruction and knowledge of this specialized aspect of band. This is such an important part of the visual contribution in our marching shows. Winter Guard is a great way to keep these students improving and actively progressing in the spring,” said Emmert.

In the group’s first two contests ever, they placed third and second, respectively, out of more than 20 other groups.

“We are so proud of the work these students have put in, and we are really seeing a momentum build for this activity in Sulphur Springs. Bringing home the trophies was an exciting start to the contest season,” Pierotti said.

The Wildcat Winter Guard will compete again Thursday, Feb. 22 in Red Oak; Saturday, Feb. 29 in Saginaw; and for NTCG Championships March 14.

Rounding out a busy start to the semester, the Wildcat Band hosted the TMEA Region 4 Music Solo and Ensemble Contest Feb. 6. The event was hosted by First Baptist Church on their campus and involved 700-800 students, directors and judges from across the state.

Not only did the Sulphur Springs Band students have to perform their UIL prepared solos and ensembles for judges, but they also worked the contest to make sure everything ran smoothly and were directly involved in all logistical aspects of running the contest.

“So many directors from other areas were complimentary of our students’ professionalism and firstclass work ethic,” said Emmert. “The contest was a rousing success.”

The Wildcat Band had 35 first-division medal recipients, and 23 qualified for the State contest that will be held in Austin at the end of May. These students will perform their solo and/ or ensemble for a State-level judge at the University of Texas.