State bound! The DSHS Tiger Band has qualified for the state competition by finishing second at area this weekend in Pflugerville. Photo courtesy of DSISD
Tiger Marching Band qualifies for State
Dripping Springs High School Tiger Marching Band has qualified once again to compete in the University Interscholastic League’s State Marching Band Competition, to be held at San Antonio’s Alamodome, Nov. 4th all day for 5A prelims and Nov. 5th in the afternoon for 5A finals.
Director Derek Woods said the band placed second out of eight bands – selected out of 18 in the prelims -- at the Area D UIL marching band competition finals, held last Saturday at the Pfield in Pflugerville. Their outstanding qualifying performance led to the band’s invitation to compete at this year’s UIL State Finals.
The 2019 Tiger Marching Band show is not only musically impressive, but it’s very concept typifies the warp-speed pace of life today and the unique connections that result from the velocity at which we live.
“MASS = F/a” allows the audience to focus on the idea of Music and Mathematics and how these divergent entities can be beautifully woven together as the band explores two very different meanings of the term “MASS.”
The use of “Phi,” known as the “Golden Ratio,” works in combination with the Fibonacci Sequence and develops throughout the performance to thematically tie the disparate parts together
In terms of design, the Golden Ratio is all about visual appeal --creating and appreciating a sense of beauty through harmony and proportion.
This harmony and proportion have been recognized for thousands of centuries, from the Pyramids in Giza to the Parthenon in Athens; from Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Our bodies and faces even follow this mathematical ratio.
For those not familiar with the Fibonacci Sequence – it’s been called "nature's secret code" and "nature's universal rule." It is said to govern the dimensions of everything from the Great Pyramid at Giza, to the iconic seashell that likely graced the cover of one of your school math textbook.
Back to the show: While the performance characterizes the scientific and mathematical usage of “Mass,” the music superimposes different liturgical masses, created by some of history’s greatest composers.
Musical selections heard throughout the show include Kaleidoscope of Mathematics by James Horner from the movie, “A Beautiful Mind,” Requiem Mass in D Minor K626 by Mozart, Requiem by Verdi and Mass by Leonard Bernstein.
As happens to mass in the physical world, the production builds into “Force” from the beginning, celebrating the beauty of the creation during the middle section before it “Accelerates” into a colorful ending.
Directed by Derek Woods and Assistant Directors Jason Dye, John Pearson and Amanda Petro, the Fall 2019 Design Team includes:
Program Designer - David Duffy; Music Arranger - Carol Brittin Chambers; Drill Writer - Serge Walsh; and Color Guard Choreography - Herbert Washington and Katie Hopkins.
“This year’s Tiger Band has worked hard over the semester to perfect every detail of their performance, and with the addition of their new white uniforms, will be ready to perform their best in San Antonio,” Director Woods said.
“We also want to encourage our audiences to come to San Antonio and support the Tiger Marching Band as they witness how mathematics and music weaves together to create this tapestry of movement and color as we proudly present ‘MASS = F/a.’”
Ticket prices for the State UIL Marching Band Competition in San Antonio are:
- Adult Double Session (Sessions 1/2, 2/3, or 4/5): $30
- Student (Grade 7-12) Double Session (Sessions 1/2, 2/3, or 4/5): $24
- Adult Single Session: $19
- Student (Grades 7-12) Single Session: $14
- Students in 6th Grade and under: Free
Tickets can be purchased at:
See you there!