Band makes school history at area contest
Albany’s Ragin’ Red Band recorded another “first” last Saturday, qualifying for the finals in the UIL Area Marching Contest and finishing sixth overall.
The group was ninth out of the top 10 bands that advanced to the finals seeking one of the five spots that moves on to the state marching contest in San Antonio next week.
“Our goal was to make the finals for the first time,” said director William Vaughan. “We entered in ninth place and moved up three spots in the finals which is a rare feat. The band had the best run-through of the season at area, which is when you want to peak.”
This is the third consecutive trip to the area contest for the band, placing 22nd in 2021 and 17th in 2022.
The band advanced after earning Division I ratings from all three judges at the Region 6 UIL Marching Contest held Oct. 16 in Abilene.
Albany was one of 26 Class 2A bands from across West Texas that performed at the area contest.
There were five judges at the area competition, including three for music and two for marching. The bands were graded on a point system.
“With our program design and the size of the band, we earned every point we could,” Vaughan said. “We don’t have a color guard and weren’t able to score points for some visual components, but our kids knocked it out of the park.”
He added that the local band outscored at least one other
See Band, pg. 8A band that has advanced to state for 11 or 12 straight years.
“Our goal since the beginning of the season in August was to earn three Division I’s at the regional contest, then place higher at area than last year and hopefully make the finals,” director William Vaughan said. “The kids rose to the occasion to accomplish all of that and more. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The band has won back-to-back Sweepstakes Awards the last two years, earning a set of nine Division I ratings from each of the three judges at the marching, concert, and sight reading contests.
“We met our goal of straight ones and qualifying for area, so it is now up to them how they compete,” Vaughan said. “The kids have developed to a point now that they know how to execute well at contest. They are very professional and really care about their individual performances.”
Theband’scontestshow this year was entitled “Our World,” with music arranged by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Rodney Gurley.
The diretor said that the band will continue to perform at the final regular season football games and any playoffs games, but will also be transitioning to concert band. The band will perform for the Veterans Day program in November.
This is Vaughan’s fourth season to direct the Ragin’ Red Band. His wife, Danna, serves as the assistant director.
