Contests help bands prepare for important UIL competition. Perhaps the most important benefit of a contest to a band director and his band is the judge’s comments. Wildcats Band Director Charles McCauley said the judge’s comments at a Texas A&M-Commerce contest Saturday were outstanding. He said he used them to tweak the band’s show on the practice field Monday night. McCauley also used a clinician to evaluate the show and suggest changes. McCauley said the band is already a lot better after Monday’s practice.
At the Saturday contest, the band and percussion earned a top one rating. During the afternoon, the color guard received a two score but then earned a one during the evening finals performance. McCauley’s goal is for the band to do a better job every time they perform. He said they did that over the weekend improving from Friday night’s football halftime, to Saturday afternoon and then on Saturday night. Despite finishing ninth among ten bands in the final Saturday night, McCauley said the band got in two performances. He said this year’s show has a large degree of difficulty so it may take the band a little longer to master it. McCauley said when the band get’s the execution of the show down, they should make a very big leap.
Next up is the band’s performance during Friday night’s football game at Marshall. Then the band will go to a contest at Mineola next Monday. McCauley said the band would perform at 4 p.m.
