Congratulations are in order once again for the Italy Gladiator Regiment Band. The band has put a big explanation mark at the end of what has already been an extraordinary year of accomplishments by qualifying for the State Honor Band competition. This is a highly coveted accolade that is only awarded to a band of each classification every two years.

For those who attended the band’s Spring Concert back in May, you may recall that the concert also served as recording session for this particular contest. The band’s recording of “Omaha Beach,” “Blue Ridge Saga,” and “Abracadabra,” advanced from the region contest on June 12th to the area round which was held at Spring High School on Thursday, June 26.

The band’s recording placed 2nd behind Valley Mills and ahead of 2012 Honor Band State runner up, Somerville. Italy’s recording will be one of 11 class 1A bands represented at the state Honor Band hearing on Sunday, July 27th at the Texas Bandmaster’s Association Convention in San Antonio. The group that is selected as the state Honor Band will be invited to perform in San Antonio at the Texas Music Educator’s Association Convention in February of 2015.

Congratulations to the band, Mr. Graves and Mr. Perez on such an outstanding accomplishment.