Award-winning band gets ready for season
By Donnie A. Lucas
Members of the Ragin’ Red Band will perform for the first time this season at the Ice Cream Supper set for Monday, Aug. 8 at the Bank Park.
Director William Vaughan said that the band will play the Alma Mater and the Fight Song at the event, which is slated to start at 6:30 p.m.
Immediately following the Ice Cream Supper, all band members will return to the band hall to change into their uniforms for group and individual pictures.
The director said that over 35 of the members of the band attended summer rehearsals last week, and he is expecting about 10 more players to show up this week for practices.
“We are still missing a few, but we will have the guys from the Boys Ranch back this week,” he said. “Rehearsals have been going well.”
Vaughan added that the band would transition outdoors this week to begin the marching routine for the show.
Practice will continue at 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. for the drum line and pit players, followed by a full band rehearsal from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. through next Thursday, Aug. 11.
The band will have weekly evening rehearsals on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. throughout the fall in addition to the morning rehearsals that carry over through the first period class time.
Morning practices will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday mornings, and will start at 7:15 a.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The band period ends each school day at 8:45 a.m.
The group will host a meet-the-band event on Monday, Aug. 22 at the football stadium. Members of the band will be introduced, and a portion of this year’s contest show will be presented to parents and any interested members of the public.
In addition to marching at football games and playing at pep rallies, the band will compete at marching band festivals in preparation for the UIL contest on Oct. 17 at Abilene Wylie. The festivals are set for Oct. 1 in San Angelo and Oct. 8 at Wylie.
This year’s show is entitled “Shine,” with music arranged by Luke McMillan of Abilene and marching drills by Rodney Gurley of Lubbock ISD.
Last year, the band earned a Sweepstakes Award for the third time in school history.
