Dripping Life, Jan 17

A tuba lives in our house. 

It moved in five years ago, takes up about as much room as a large dog and requires a mini-van for transportation.

My grandson plays tuba in the Dripping Springs High School Marching Tiger Band, and although I was, initially, clueless about this instrument, I love hearing the low, mellow tones during practices, and I can always find the tubas on the field during performance.

I introduce this column with the disclaimer of living with a tuba, so you’ll see the connection between my pride and support of the young men and women, directors and Band Boosters who work so hard every year to produce a spectacularly successful season of marching and musicianship as they represent our city. 

But after the last marching competition in November, students quickly switched gears in preparation for the University Interscholastic League’s Region Band Competition in early December.

After all the individual auditions by section, 83.4 percent of the DSHS Wind Ensemble earned Region Honors along with members of the Symphonic and Concert Bands. In addition to the entire sections of the flutes and clarinets of the Wind Ensemble earning Region Band honors, the entire Wind Ensemble sections of Double Reeds (Oboes, English Horns and Bassoons), French Horns, Euphoniums and Tubas also were awarded Region honors. This accomplishment, in itself, is impressive for high school musicians, not to mention relatively rare in these intensely-judged auditions. 

Award-winning students included:  

5-A Band

Flutes: Samantha Foster, Lettie Thomas Hastings, Catherine Manning, Madelyn Foster (Note: The entire Wind Ensemble flute section made Region, between 5 & 6 A Bands!) Julie Sawin.

Oboe/English Horn: Kearsen Erwin, Isabella Kreger-Stewart

Bassoons: Matthew Sheeler, Henna Hajari

Clarinets:  Jessica Heintz, Jasmine Rolon, Paola Palomino, Reagan Reynolds, Ginger Hudson, Jarod Showacre (entire Wind Ensemble Flute section made 5 A Region) Haley Jackson

 Alto Saxes: Drew Wilson, Madeline Brandt

Tenor Sax:  Danielle Cook

Trumpets: Kasey Gusella, Cameron Porter, Griffin Larner, Kendrick Lemmond

French Horns:  Celeste Douglas, Madeleine Hassell, Jonathan Bartling, Katherine Larner

Trombones: Zachary Woten, Cade Nowicki, Anya Dono

Euphonium: Ryan Nowicki, Barrett Guinn

Tubas:  Connor Tole, Reid Lohman, Walter Berthelsen

Percussion: Evan Price

6A Band

Flutes: Erika Gossett, Sarah Galassini, Madeline Lee, Sarah Cox

Bass Clarinet: Kassandra Sawin

Trumpet: Johnny Dollard

French Horn: Cade Smith

Percussion: Jason Oliphant

Area qualifiers

Piccolo: (5A) Samantha Foster

Flutes: (5A) Lettie Thomas Hastings, Catherine Manning

(6A)  Erika Gossett, Sara Cox, Sarah Galassini & Maddie Lee

Oboe: Kearsen Erwin

English Horn: Isabella Stewart

Clarinets: Jessica Heintz, Paola Palomino, Jasmine Rolon

Bass Clarinet: (6A) Kassandra Sawin,

Bassoon: (5A)  Matt Sheeler

Tenor Sax: (5A) Danielle Cook

Trumpet: (5A) Kasey Gusella

(6A) Johnny Dollard

French Horns: (5A) Jonathan Bartling, Celeste Douglas, Maddie Hassell

(6A) Cade Smith

Tuba: Connor Tole

Percussion:  Jason Oliphant

The band experience begins in middle school and can continue through high school. 

I can only speak from my experience with the Dripping Springs ISD program, but as a musician, myself, I cannot say enough about the quality of this program. For any attending a Tiger Band halftime performance or spring or winter concert, you have witnessed the high quality of the precision marching, the program selection and the musicianship. 

But, not only are these middle and high school band students taught excellence in musicianship and directed by outstanding professionals, but every band member becomes part of an all-inclusive family – a family that encourages each other to be their best, to perform at their highest level and to know their individual contribution is not only valued but also essential to the band’s success and award-winning performances in competition. 

Band members also learn leadership, cooperation, teamwork, responsibility, and accountability – all traits that will equip them to succeed in their next steps in life, from entering the workforce to college or career military. 

When a student becomes part of the Dripping Springs band program, that student’s family also becomes involved, volunteering as a band booster, chaperoning band trips, making certain their student is on-time with the proper paperwork, equipment and signed permissions. Parents, families and extended families also cheer the band from the sidelines, attend preliminary show performances and often travel to away games to be there in support of the band.

From every aspect, I can truthfully say, the DSHS band experience is an invaluable preparation for life and a time where student and family can share memorable events and rites of passage they will never forget.

Earning a spot on the All-Region Band, playing in the Regional Concert and sharing the pride that comes from this honor, every step of the way with fellow band members – that’s simply what comes with being the best!