Band competes at area

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band improved their ranking from last year at the UIL Area Marching Contest, placing 15th out of the 25 Class 2A bands that competed last Saturday in Lubbock.

The top 10 bands in the contest were placed in the finals, performing a second time for the judges and hoping to be selected as one of the five bands to advance to the state marching contest in San Antonio next week.

“I thought the kids had a really good run,” director William Vaughan said. “We marched second, and it was really cold, but the kids did a great job and moved way up from where we finished last year.”

The band earned a Division I in 2021 to compete at the area contest, but finished tied for last place. However, it was the first time in at least 40 years that the Albany band marched at that level.

Scoring two ones and one two from the individual judges at the regional contest last year, the band met its goal of earning three Division I ratings this year to advance.

All bands that earn a Division I at region automatically qualify to move on to area.

“We struggled last year, with not everyone playing or moving correctly because the music and routine were pretty hard,” Vaughan said. “This year, we arranged things a little easier so we could get all the kids more involved. Basically, we are laying the foundation for a more technical show next year.”

The group normally marches close to 40 students, but there were two or three holes in the show due to illness or other last-minute circumstances.

The band’s contest show was entitled “Shine,” with music arranged by Luke McMillan and marching drills by Rodney Gurley.

Vaughan said that the band will now shift to working on the annual Christmas Concert tentatively set for Sunday, Dec. 11. Also, auditions for All-Region band are approaching in December.

This is Vaughan’s third season to direct the band. He is assisted by his wife, Danna Vaughan.