Band earns I rating at Wylie festival

By Donnie A. Lucas In preparation for the UIL marching contest on Oct. 17, the AHS band competed in the Big Country Marching Festival last Saturday, earning a Division I rating. The event was held at Wylie High School in Abilene, with the band marching at 2:30 p.m. “We started out a little timidly but were playing strong by the end,” director William Vaughan said. “We received good comments from the judges that will help us prepare for the UIL Marching Contest that is coming up.” The band will compete in the regional marching contest on Monday, Oct. 17, again at Wylie. Albany will take the field at 2:45 p.m. as the third band in the Class 2A division. The public is invited to attend. “We are working on tightening everything up by working through the suggestions that the judges gave us last Saturday,” Vaughan said. Each band that earns a Division I rating from the judges will advance to the area marching contest set for Saturday, Oct. 29 at Lubbock’s Lowery Field. The band is performing their contest show entitled “Shine,” with music arranged by Luke McMillan and marching drills by Rodney Gurley. Albany earned only the third sweepstakes award in the history of the program last year with Division I ratings in marching, concert, and sight reading. “The kids are doing a good job, but I’m just ready to get this step completed and move on to the next,” he said. This is Vaughan’s third season to direct the Ragin’ Red Band. His wife, Danna, serves as the assistant director.