DFW Bands Arrive In Force

Timber Creek, Wylie East, and Coppell high school are 3 programs on the rise. Only separated by 60 miles, just North of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, they are pushing each other to new heights. On Saturday night, these three programs traveled over 300 miles together to Midland, TX, and to a sweep of the 2018 BOA West Texas Regional.

Timber Creek

Timber Creek won their first Bands of America Regional title and it doesn't look like it'll be their last. With a score of 78.05, Timber Creek held off neighboring Coppell and Wylie East to get their BOA season started.

“We are absolutely thrilled and amazed with our placements and judge commentary,” Director Darla McBryde said. “This is the result of 4 years of working through BOA contests. We were 23rd out of 33 at our very first one four years ago and today we were first!”

Timber Creek is one of DFW’s fastest growing programs surrounded by other powerhouse programs like Flower Mound, Marcus, and Hebron. Showcasing one of the largest drumlines in Texas and an impressive brass section, Timber Creek will player throughout the BOA season in Texas. They will compete at the Dallas-Ft. Worth regional on October 6 and at the San Antonio Super Regional in early November. 

“It takes a village to raise a marching band, and we have the most supportive parents,” McBryde said. “So many of them pushed really hard on props and travel arrangements to make today happen.”

Timber Creek’s show called "From The Ground Up" is based around the concept of growth and is being depicted using different stages of plant-life growing out of the ground. The opening movement includes a beautiful quartet which leads into a fast and furious 2nd movement that will get your heart racing. You can’t help but notice the massive guard section wearing the same uniforms from Carmel’s 2018 indoor winter guard show.

“The feedback we received today will help us in our preparations for DFW and San Antonio BOA as well as at UIL contests,” McBryde said.

Coppell

Coppell finished second with a 76.45. Coppell arrived in Midland boasting one of the most well-renowned design teams in Texas, Michael Shapiro and Michael Gaines among the names.

The show called "The Other Side" opens with a beautiful oboe and piano duet. Then, Coppell begins to weave in and out of a contrast of arranging between the original works of the classical greats Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff, to the more modern interpretations. 

The drill is fascinating to watch as the band unfolds out from the back left side of the field in the opening movement. The staging seems to be quite difficult due to the fact the performers are spread from the goal line on side 1 to the 15-yard line on side 2. 

The minimalistic piano key props create a divide at the diagonal across the field, creating an opportunity for the band to cross back and forth from one side to the other thus supporting the show’s concept visually.

Wylie East

Wylie East High School is yet another program on the rise from the Dallas-Ft. Worth area after a 3rd place finish overall (73.65).

Their 2018 show entitled "Conquered" explores the middle east region around Egypt and its history of being invaded by the Roman empire. 

Using music from "The Wind and the Lion" Jerry Goldsmith, "Prince of Egypt" by Hans Zimmer, and "Feste Romane" by Ottorino Respighi, Wylie sets the stage with a beautiful and eerie beginning using an EWI (electronic wind instrument) followed by a flute soloist. 

The opening drill hit ties together the uniform and prop hieroglyphics. For this early in the season, their guard has great timing even though they are spread from the 15-yard line to the 15-yard line.

On To The Next

While Timber Creek, Coppell, and Wylie East will make the trek back to DFW, they know there is a long way to go before the 2018 season is over with and they all have a lot more goals to accomplish this fall.

“The staff is incredibly proud of the students,” McBryde said. “We have made a bit of history for our school and program. It feels great to have this win under our belts going forward.”