By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel Early College High School [PIECHS] Silver Tarpon Band recently saw great success at the
Robstown Crossroads Marching Festival.
Alejandro Cavazos, Head Band Director, said the band has worked tirelessly since July. The students are learning choreography, music fundamentals and marching fundamentals.
“We’re putting hours upon hours every day,” said Cavazos.
He said the band’s first competition was in September and helped build the band’s confidence in performing.
Cavazos said there were a total of 29 bands at the competition. The bands came from schools across the 2A-5A classification. Among these bands, the Silver Tarpon Band placed second overall as a “runner-up grand champion,” according to Cavazos.
The band was placed between two 5A schools.
Cavazos said the band included eighth graders for the first time this year, allowing them to experience the high school program and see the success firsthand.
“We’re just trying to make a good culture out of it,” said Cavazos.
He says students learn many skills in band including organization, responsibility, comradery, teamwork and more.
“There’s just so many skills beyond the music realm that these students are learning as well. It’s just a fantastic thing they’ve been doing,” said Cavazos.
The Robstown Crossroads Marching Festival featured bands across the Valley, the Corpus Christi area and other surrounding areas. The event took place on Oct. 12 at the Robstown Cotton Picker Stadium. According to the official website for the Robstown Independent School District, the event was formatted to UIL standards. Trophies were given to first, second and third places for bands best in class and runner up, percussion, color guard, drum major grand champion and the runner up.
According to Cavazos, at least 120 students participated in the marching band across the various instruments. The school’s Color Guard also participated in the event. Among these students, drum majors Adrian Himenez Murran and Nicole Flemming placed. Guard Captains Mia Moore and Lilith Rodriguez accepted awards on behalf of the band.
Cavazos calls the event a “humbling experience” as director. He describes the win as validating the everyday
efforts put in by himself and the band.
“We come to work everyday and we do these different things… but to see the result and how they appreciate the hard work they invest, that’s the biggest thing we enjoy,” said Cavazos.
Cavazos stressed the excellence of the students and the work they put in. Alongside the hard work of the band, they balance multiple activities and maintain good grades.
“They’re the top students of the school… our students go above and beyond our expectations, and they have high success and quality in whatever they do,” said Cavazos.
Cavazos applauded the students for their hard work and commitment to the band and how it materialized into accolades.