Message from the Band Director

2010-2011

 

            It is an honor for me to be the band director at O’Connor High School. The Panther Band Family is comprised of students, parents and teachers. Everyday we work toward a greater understanding of the arts and performance. Providing music at the weekly football games is just a part of the band’s curriculum and a service to the community we look forward to each year.

            The Panther Band Directors that serve with me are George G. Garza, Wesley Perkins and Eric Eaks. Mrs. Alison Martinez does a wonderful job as the choreographer and dance instructor with our color guard and a great private teaching faculty supports our individual students. The performances that you see unfold week after week are led by a marvelous group of student leaders and of course supported by one of the great Band Booster Organizations in Texas. Our band family consists of 3 concert bands, 2 full jazz ensembles, jazz combo, full orchestra, fine arts musical pit musicians, PASIC Percussion, 2 winter guard units and the award winning “Panther” Marching Band.

            The Panther Band Family is proud to represent our school and community each time we perform throughout the year. Please take a moment to read about the achievements and awards the Panther Band has brought home to O’Connor High School. You will also find a schedule of just a FEW of our events (there are lots of others!). Come on out and support us as we continue to strive to bring out the best in ourselves and the wonderful community we all call Sandra Day O’Connor High School.

Roland Sandoval – Director of Bands

President/State Board of Directors Texas Music Educators Association Region 11

Advisory Board Texas Jazz Educators Association

 

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

             The O’Connor “Panther” Band proudly completed its 12th year and continues the tradition of excellence established by the many talented students that have walked through the band hall doors since the school opened. In 2009-2010 school year the “Panther” Band accomplished:

  • 12th consecutive  UIL “SWEEPSTAKES” Honor
  • 12th consecutive 1st Division UIL Marching Contest
  • 3rd Place NISD Marching Festival (Outstanding Percussion)
  • Grand Champion Class 5A Drums Along the Medina Marching Festival (Outstanding Marching, Percussion, Music Performance, Color Guard)
  • Westlake Marching Competition Finalist
  • UIL “SWEEPSTAKES” Full Orchestra
  • Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, & Concert Band all received straight 1st divisions at UIL Concert & Sightreading Competition
  • PASIC 7th Place Marching Percussion & Cymbal Line National Champions in Indianapolis Indiana
  • Over 300 1st Division Medals earned at UIL Solo & Ensemble Performance
  • Numerous individual accomplishments at All Region Band & Jazz, All Area, All Region Orchestra & All State Jazz Auditions (continuing to break school records)
  • Winter Guard Placements at TCGC & WGI competitions including SILVER MEDALIST at the TCGC State Championships
  • Outstanding Performance Honors & Outstanding Soloist Awards at the Hill Country Jazz Festival & Jazz I, II & Combo featured at the Jazz Along the San Antonio Riverwalk Festival
  • Featured Jazz Ensemble & Combo performances at various events throughout San Antonio & NISD

 

2010-2011 Competition Season & A Few Performances

 

Sept. 25………………………….……………………………NISD Marching Festival (GUS)

Oct 2……………………………………………….Drums Along the Medina Festival (SWHS)

Oct. 9………………………………………….Westlake Marching Festival (Austin, TX)

Oct. 16……………………..…….…………UIL Marching Contest GUS Stadium (NISD)

Oct. 23…………………………………………..…….UIL Area Marching Contest (TBA)

Oct. 29……………………………………..…BOA Super Regional Alamodome (SA TX)

Nov. 2…………………UIL State Marching Contest Alamodome (must qualify) (SA TX)

Dec. 17………………………………………………….Holiday Concert OHS Auditorium

April 5, 6, 7, ………….……………………….………..….UIL Concert & Sight-Reading

April 14……………………………………………Fiesta Battle of Flowers Band Festival

April 15……………………………………………………Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade

April 30……………………………………………………………….……Cornyval Parade

May 27……………………………………..………Spring Pops Concert OHS Auditorium

END OF YEAR BIG BAND DANCE following Spring Concert!!!!!!

For a complete schedule of events please go to: www.thepantherband.com

We hope you enjoy our 2010 competition show as we present a music program we call “PHOBIA!” It includes exciting music to portray just that…What are we all afraid of? The band explores the most common fears such as SPIDERS and SNAKES. We will then take you on a journey that explores other fears such as the fear of LOVE, SILENCE, NOISE, OPEN & CONFINED SPACES.  The music is arranged and composed by Key Poulan exclusively for our band with the percussion written by George Garza. The show design is created by the O’Connor Band Staff. Sit back and enjoy these hard working and talented young musicians as they continue our tradition of bringing a true “SHOW BAND” to the field. Sit back and ENJOY!!!