LHS Band Keeps Piling Up the Awards

Polka Band

On Saturday, Feb. 25, members of the La Grange High School Band competed across the State at three different events, and all three groups achieved outstanding performances, and brought home trophies to show for it.

The LHS Polka Band competed at the UIL State German Competition at Texas State University in San Marcos. They performed five selections, and took home the 2nd Place trophy. “We only had five members in Polka Band this year, which is the minimum number required to compete,” said LHS Band Director Christopher Cooper. “I thanked them after the performance because if any one of them had dropped out at any point, the tradition of Polka Bands at LHS would have been broken. Each of them was crucial, and they all played very well! And what is more impressive - four of the five students are Freshmen!”

2023 LHS Polka Band Roster Chloe Coufal, Clarinet Kevin Karstedt, Trumpet William Rausl, Trumpet Layne Huenefeld, Trombone Jacob Bridgefarmer, Tuba

This concludes Polka Band’s contest season. They will perform at least once more as the opening act for the LHS Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 16 at the Round Top Festival Institute, at 6:30 p.m.

Winter Guard

The LHS Winter Guard traveled to Austin to compete in the Texas Color Guard Circuit event at Ann Richards High School for Young Women and Leaders. The 12 member unit competed against seven other Novice Class Guards, and placed 2nd!

“The improvement from their first competition a few weeks ago was unbelievable,” Cooper said. “At their first competition they knew all of their dance and equipment work, but didn’t have all of their drill learned. Students were having memory lapses and plagued by nerves, especially the rookies.At this show, it was a very different group. Not only did they have the full product in place, but there were few memory lapses, and each one was recovered from very quickly. More impressive was the poise and showmanship displayed. Everyone was smiling and projecting to the audience - truly performing. The audience was thrilled and so were we!”

Winter Guard is an activity where the Color Guard from the Marching Band performs their own show, with movement and routine set to a recorded track. The Winter Guard unit’s next competition is this Saturday at Davenport High School.

Indoor Percussion

Finally, the LHS Indoor Percussion unit gave a tremendous performance at their TCGC Competition at Pasadena Memorial HS in Pasadena, Tx. Similar to Winter Guard, Indoor Percussion involves the drumline and front ensemble - mostly keyboard instruments - performing their own unique music and drill inside of a gym.

“Similar to the Guard, when Indoor Percussion performed a few weeks ago, they had about half of their show ready to present,” said Cooper. “This time they performed their entire show, and with much more confidence than the first time.” Cooper said of the performance, “This was also their first show using their floor tarp and bridge prop. It really helped tell the story of the music, which is about unity, working together as a team, and the human desire for connection. The tarp is a landscape with a chasm in the center. One student nearly falls in at the beginning and is saved by his friends, before that group hears the lead snare on the other side and crosses the bridge to join him. At the end of the show, with the bridge broken, they are separated again and reach out for each other from across the chasm. It’s a cool show, played very well. The drumline members did a great job of not only playing, but acting. And the front ensemble looked like they were jamming out and really into the music they were making.”

Their fantastic performance earned the highest overall score of the day, resulting in a GoldTrophy.They placed 1st out of the 9 units in their class.

“It is amazing to see these units so successful this year. I want to thank Sarah Fourmy, who works with our Guard unit, and Christian Pitre, Assistant Band Director, for his work with the Indoor Percussion. They work with our students an extra 4-6 hours per week after school, plus additional time for planning and design. We also want to thank our Superintendent, Andy McHazlet, and School Board members, for giving us a budget to work with this year. It has made a major difference. The Band Booster Club has also pitched in to help with props and clinicians. When our students have the resources, they can out shine anyone.

“Last year, our Indoor Percussion finished last in the circuit. Now they are leading their Class, and have a real shot at advancing to State. That’s incredible,” Cooper noted. “Guard is in a better place, too. Last year they ended middle of the pack at Championships, which was good for a rookie unit. This year they’ve placed at both competitions they’ve attended, and are 3rd in their Class across the State. These students are working so hard, and it’s paying off in some incredible performances and recognition!”