The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band received a warm farewell, on a brisk Wednesday morning, from the Italy High School student body as band director Jesus Perez, his staff and volunteers and the members of the band exited the band hall and boarded the school bus to compete in the UIL regional marching competition at LaVega High School.

The band has momentum after finishing with a superior rating during the annual Troy Marching Invitational and does not plan to let what ever happens in LaVega stay in LaVega. Instead, Perez and his marching troops plan on bringing back to Italy High School a first division rating for the fourth year in a row and a chance to advance to Area.

Italy School Board member, Larry Eubank, made sure band members got off to a solid start to their campaign and provided Mama’s Place burritos for everyone. Perez gave a speech regarding the day’s expectations and complimented the group on starting another amazing year and thanked the school board for their continued support.

Assistant band director Erica Scott chimed in by adding, “Italy has great kids. You each take care of the little things without needing prompting from the staff and you each get the job done.” The band gave themselves a well deserved applause and then grabbed their uniforms and made their way out to the bus, at which point they received even more applause from fellow students and teachers who were waiting along the side of the school building.

As the bus pulled away, band members waved from the windows as the crowd cheered them forward. Good luck to The Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and for their continued success.

IGRMB Update:
Oh by the way, Italy conquered UIL regional competition at LaVega finishing with perfect first division ratings across the board an will be advancing to Area. Now that’s music to our ears!

And the beat of champions marches on…