Ragin’ Red Band debuts new uniforms
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Ragin’ Red Band debuted new uniforms last Friday during halftime of the Albany vs. Anson game in preparation for upcoming marching contests.
The band will compete on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Big Country Marching Contest at Wylie High School in Abilene. The local band will take the field at 3:20 p.m.
The band will be performing its contest show “Arabian Nights,” with music written by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Josh Shaw of Lubbock.
Band director Will Vaughan said that the band has learned the last segment of the performance this week.
“We have put all the elements of the show together this week,” Vaughan said. “Josh Shaw will actually be coming to our next Monday night rehearsal to work with the band.”
The director said he is pleased with how quickly the band learned the second half of the show.
“Now we just need to get everyone to buy in to the same performance level as we get ready for contests,” he said.
The band will march at the UIL Marching Contest on Monday, Oct. 18 at Wylie High School in Abilene. Albany will be the first band to march at 2:15 p.m.
The band has the opportunity to advance to the area contest on Oct. 30 and advance from there to the state marching contest.
Normally, Class 2A bands can advance to state on even-numbered years; however, due to the COVID pandemic, all classifications have the chance to get to the state contest this season.
Last Friday was the first time Albany fans were able to see the band perform in new uniforms that consist of a grey bib and red and white jackets.
“We are still missing the plumes for the hats,” Vaughn said. “They haven’t gotten here yet due to supply chain issues.
“Everyone thinks the uniforms look great,” he said. “They were really glad to see that they were grey, red and white instead of having a lot of black on them like the old uniforms.”
He also thanked members of the band boosters who help fit and adjust the uniforms last week, as well as assisting with players wearing and caring for the uniforms properly.
Vaughan and his wife, Danna, who serves as an assistant director, were hired a year ago to guide the band. In their first year, the band earned a Division II in marching and a pair of Division I ratings in concert and sight reading.
