“We’re going to go to The State Marching contest.”

After a year and a half of COVID regulations, the most lofty goal for the College Park Marching band was to return to their former glory and attend the state marching contest in San Antonio, a competition previously attended in 2016 and 2018. In order to do this, the band would have to place in top five amongst the 23 other bands competing in 6A Area F competition this last week, Saturday, October 30th. 

To prepare, the band has practiced eight hours a week alongside supporting the football team during halftime shows. The band went into Saturday’s performance with a finals placement in Bands of America Houston and Lone Star Preview, earning all ones at the initial UIL evaluation. 

Everyone went into Saturday with high hopes of earning one of those slots, but no one would have dreamed about what would happen next. After their exemplary preliminary performance, the Cavalier Band was ranked second going into finals. They had a shot of winning it all. 

They performed fourth in finals, and the students were so nervous that none of them could tell if it was a good or bad run. As they sat in the stands, waiting for results, the nervous energy only grew. Then, the rankings were announced, counting down from tenth to first place. 

Tenth through sixth were announced, and once the band was guaranteed to go to state the energy changed. They had met their goal and the rank within those five slots was just the icing on the cake. 

As the first place winner was announced everyone jumped up in the stands. The Cavalier Marching Band had won it all. 

Being ranked first in the Area has given the band a second wind, one that will carry them all the way to state.