Band tuning up for spring

GONZALES — Gonzales High School Head Band Director Jose Villarreal is excited for the coming Spring. His bands have been playing well and will be looking sharp, too. 

This past Saturday, 17 students traveled to the campus of Texas State University to rehearse and perform for family and fans at the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) Region Band concert. The performance is for select students who went through a tryout process last semester and qualified in the top-tier of their instruments.

“It turned out very well,” said Villarreal of the concert. 

The students rehearsed for nine hours in preparation for their shows, he said. Two bands were formed for the students to play in, with some seated in the concert band while others played with the symphonic band. 

The concert band was led by conductor Kylie Friesenhan of Steele High School, who has 35 years of teaching experience. Their song list included “Pristissimo,” “Star Wars Saga” and “Serenade and Dances.” The symphonic band, conducted by Lake Travis ISD director of bands Charles Aguillon, included “A Patriotic Salute,” “Fantasy and Sketches” and “Ye Banks and Braes O’Bonnie Doon.”

Gonzales led one of the larger contingent of students amongst schools represented and Villarreal said that the musicians enjoyed the challenging music and meeting with other band members from across the area.

To keep up with the formal appearance that musicians adopt when they play for a concert crowd, Villarreal decided early in the school year to purchase black tuxedos and gowns for the band members to wear for performances. The turnaround was quite quick and the Apaches were able to debut them at the weekend concert.

It adds a professional and presentable look, Villarreal said.

Even though it was a big weekend for these students, the year is just beginning for not only the high school but the junior high bands. Competition, new spaces and new faces are in store for the bands. 

The high school band will now ready for the upcoming UIL concert band season and look to score a three-peat Sweepstakes win with a pair of first division scores from judges. But first, they must master their music. 

The Mighty Apaches will travel to Liberty Hill High School in late April for the UIL contest. They are currently practicing “Laredo Paso Doble” for competition and are considering others, including “Hymn Song of Philip Bliss,” “Themes from Green Bushes,” and “Serenade and Dances.”

Meanwhile the junior high is looking at a few pieces for their early March UIL contest date. They now have a new conductor to help them on their journey, as the campus welcomed Ian McDaniel as their new director yesterday. The Texas State grad hails from Georgetown and is skilled in the low brass instruments, which will be a benefit to all GISD bands. 

And on Feb. 20, the solo and ensemble contest will happen at Hendrickson High School near Austin. In all, 47 Apache Band members will play various solo, trio and quartet pieces before judges. The band’s twirlers will also be given time to compete. 

Over at North Avenue Intermediate School, Villarreal said that the new band hall that has been constructed is quite impressive and he is excited for the students there to move in from the portable buildings that they have occupied all year. 

“It’s looking real pretty, real nice,” he said. “The kids are excited.”

Looking ahead, mark down May 9 for the high school’s spring concert at the junior high auditorium. The junior high will have their concert May 10 at the high school’s old gym, and North Avenue will have a performance, too, though the date is still undecided.

“It’s a very busy three months that we have,” Villarreal said.