Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District issued the following announcement on Dec. 7.
The Bridgeland and Cypress Woods high school marching bands will represent CFISD at the UIL State Marching Band Contest after being among the four bands selected to advance from the UIL Area I Marching Band Contest, held Dec. 5 at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium.
Bridgeland’s program made history in earning its first-ever bid to the state contest.
“We’re beyond excited,” said Shawn McAnear, Bridgeland director of bands. “We’re so proud of our kids and community for persevering during this uncertain time all the while putting together such an amazing band production. Being able to accomplish this in our first four years with our first four-year senior class is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved from the beginning—just awesome!”
The Cypress Woods High School marching band will compete in the UIL State Marching Band Contest Dec. 15 in San Antonio for the second time in school history. Cypress Woods will join Bridgeland High School as CFISD’s representatives at the state contest.
For Cypress Woods, it will be the band’s second trip to the state competition, after qualifying for the first time in 2010.
“The Cypress Woods band has had an amazing year,” said Tom Harrington, Cypress Woods director of bands. “The staff is very impressed with how the students are not letting this year’s distractions get in the way of them doing the activity that they love. We appreciate the support we have received from our school and our district administration who have worked tirelessly to help us reach our goals.”
All 12 CFISD high school bands competed in the area competition, along with seven Katy ISD high school bands. There were no area finals due to COVID-19 procedures and protocols. State qualifiers were announced via live stream.
This was the first year the area marching contest was offered to view via live stream, with 4,148 guests tuning in across all three sessions. More than 140,000 minutes were viewed by guests in the U.S. and from nine other countries.
“I am very proud of the hard work that all 12 of our high school marching bands have done this season,” said Mary Running, director of fine arts. “Our band directors have worked tirelessly for many months to provide a safe environment for our students to have the opportunity to perform and compete in an activity they love. It was very special that all 12 marching bands advanced to the area marching contest.”
The state competition for Class 6A will take place Dec. 15 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, with Cypress Woods scheduled to perform at 3:07 p.m. and Bridgeland slated for 5:40 p.m. There will be no finals this year due to COVID-19 procedures.
“It is an honor to have the Cypress Woods and Bridgeland bands represent CFISD at the state level in San Antonio,” Running said. “The parents, students and teachers are to be commended on their dedication and perseverance to get to this level during this challenging time.”
For more information about the state contest, including tickets and live streaming information, visit the UIL website.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District
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