The Harker Heights High School Red Brigade Band is preparing to perform on a national stage.
The school’s wind ensemble, the largest concert band in the program received invitation to perform at the Music for All National Festival next April 1-3 in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Harker Heights ensemble is one of 25 high school bands in the country that made the cut for the exclusive music festival. They will perform a 40-minute program at the event. Students will also get to network with their peers and attend clinics with top instructors.
Band Director Eric Skinner gathered the marching band in the school auditorium July 24 following the end of the first week of summer camp to prepare for the new year.
Almost immediately showing his pride and emotion at the announcement, he was about to make, the band director turned to a short video he made that revealed the band’s invitation to the national festival next spring.
As slides on the auditorium stage screen spelled out the band’s elite invitation to perform in Indiana with the best in the nation, a flood of balloons poured from a net attached to the ceiling and confetti boomed into the seats where band members sat.
Students cheered and applauded and a few leaped from their seats to celebrate the news.
“It’s a shock,” said senior drum major Nayeli Waggoner. “It’s such a big accomplishment. We work hard and are dedicated. Mr. Skinner works so hard for us. It’s the next chapter of our huge book we’re creating. It feels like a huge accomplishment.”
There are many ways high school bands measure success, including UIL contests in marching, concert, sight reading and solo and ensemble competitions.
The Harker Heights band has been successful over the years, but Skinner said he was determined to find the band’s own brand of success beyond the most obvious arenas of performance and competition.
Directors submitted years’ worth of performance recordings in May as audition for the festival program. Skinner received word in the middle of summer of their selection, just before band members started back to school for summer practice.
“It’s so exciting to see that we can attend an event that will showcase our skills,” said junior drum major Denzel Luna Guzman. “I know everyone works so hard to get to where we are. It’s going to be great. Being one of just 25 going is pretty insane.”
“I’m super excited. Last year felt like a big step forward to this. It’s really nice to see that the hard work is paying off,” said senior brass captain Timothy Alvarez.
“Last year was a step forward. This is the proof,” said senior percussion captain Tramel Bracey
“I’m still trying to process it. It shows the hard work we’ve put in.”
“I really think it’s amazing the growth we’ve had,” said junior trumpet section leader Joel Nevarez.
“As we have progressed through the years, we work together and have seen a lot of improvement. I’m excited to see further growth moving forward. To get recognized nationwide is a great honor.”
Photos of the Red Brigade Band are posted at www.killeenisd.org/photos