Gladiator Regiment Band and Color Guard advances to Area

Submitted Story Posted October 24, 2013 6:00pm Italy Gladiator Band

Image: Maegan Connor and Marlen Hernandez read an inspirational card signed by Lady Gladiator Volleyball team members wishing Italy’s band good luck before they take the field. — Maegan Connor and Marlen Hernandez read an inspirational card signed by Lady Gladiator Volleyball team members wishing Italy’s band good luck before they take the field. (Barry Byers)

The Italy Gladiator Regiment Band competed in the Region 8 UIL Marching Contest on Wednesday, October 23. The band received a unanimous 1st division rating from all three UIL judges. The panel consisted of Travis Hobbs (Wall HS), Perry Morris (ATSSB), and Tim Edins (Hamilton).

Mr. Perez would like to thank everyone that came out to support the band. “It was like having home field advantage.” In addition, the band students and band staff would like to thank Clover Stiles for her tireless efforts in all the preparations for meals, snacks, and decorations she prepared for the students.

The Italy Band was one of 8 class A bands from the region that earned a superior rating and that will be competing against the 14 bands from regions 7, 18, and 26 for a chance to advance to the State Marching Contest on November 4th.

Please come out and support the band at the Area D Marching contest on Saturday, October 26 at Groesbeck High School.

The address for Groesbeck High School is 1202 N. Ellis, Groesbeck, 76642. Admission is $5. The band performs at 12:15 pm.

If the band advances to Area finals, they would perform again in the evening.

Sisters Kelsey Nelson and Kirby Nelson are overjoyed to be sharing the ride together. (Barry Byers)

A confident Zac Mercer predicted the results long before the band performed. (Barry Byers)

Austin Crawford on base drum and David De La Hoya on tuba help lead their band mates to the practice field where last minute adjustments and musical practice runs made the difference. (Barry Byers)

Assistant band director David Graves covers the details with assistant drum major Emily Stiles and drum line captain Whitney Wolaver. (Barry Byers)

The battle tested Gladiator Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard make their dramatic entrance simulating a troop regiment of civil war soldiers. (Barry Byers)

Adding to the effect, Blake Brewer, is front and center as a drummer boy leading Italy’s musical troops onto the field of battle. (Barry Byers)

The drum line adds sound ammunition to the performance. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Trevor Patterson, Kylee Dabney, Vanessa Cantu, Amber Hooker, Marlen Hernandez and Annie Perry charge into band history. (Barry Byers)

Elliott Worsham, Reagan Adams, Chris Davila, Jacob Brooks, Lorena Rodriguez and Blake Brewer add firepower to the scene. (Barry Byers)

The Color Guard maneuvers thru the ranks as the band plays on. (Barry Byers)

Trevor Patterson and Vanessa Cantu join their band mates in setting the mood during an emotional routine. (Barry Byers)

JoeMack Pitts, Michael Moore, Ty Hamilton, Emily Stiles and Lillie Perry are portraying soldiers on the move while blasting away. (Barry Byers)

Blake Brewer brilliantly sets the tone on the timpani as Lorena Rodrigues handles the cymbols and as pit crew member Tatum Adams supports the war effort. (Barry Byers)

Reagan Adams plays the marimba with assistance from band mate Chris Davila. (Barry Byers)

Sarah Levy, Zac Mercer and Kristen Viator join their fellow band members in using their instruments of war. (Barry Byers)

Drum major Alexis Sampley helps lead the Gladiator Regiment Band and Color Guard to victory! (Barry Byers)

Italy High School principal Lee Joffrey leads the cheers as the Italy student body makes some noise for the band following their performance. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Fans of the Year Alice Riddle and her daughter Joy Moneyhon make the trip to La Vega High School to show their support for the Gladiator Regiment Band and Color Guard. (Barry Byers)

The moment you transform from a high school band to rock stars! Band Director Jesus Perez, color guard sponsor Amber Droll and the rest of the band are treated like celebrities after exiting the field. (Barry Byers)

That moment you hear that everyone’s hard work has paid off when its announced that your band’s performance earned Sweepstakes with all 1s across the board! Area here we come!! (Barry Byers)

Jaclynn Lewis congratulates Reagan Adams after learning the band is going to Area. (Barry Byers)

Lorena Rodriguez, Kylee Dabney, Jennifer McDaniel and Sarah Burrow are proud of the band’s accomplishments. (Barry Byers)

Dedicated band leaders JoeMack Pitts, Anna Riddle, Madison Washington, Whitney Wholaver, Alexis Sampley and Emily Stiles stand proud of the band’s victory. (Barry Byers)