KJHS Bands and Directors win honors in state competition

Earlier this year, the two Kennedale Junior High School Bands,

under the direction of Ben Brown and Eleanor Macias, competed at the state after moving successfully through region and area levels. {{more:[read more]}}

 

Kennedale became the only junior high/middle school

to have the performances of two bands judged at state this year.

 

competed with the best bands in the state …

 

The KJHS Symphonic Band and the KJHS Honors Band this year participated

in UIL competition that required them to submit recorded musical selections. The

recordings had been made at festivals or concerts earlier in the year. Both

bands advanced through the region and area levels to compete with the best

schools from around the State of Texas in the Outstanding Performance Series (OPS)

state level adjudication. The OPS is sponsored by the Association of Texas

Small School Bands (TSSB).

 

two seconds at state …

The Kennedale Junior High Honors Band, the varsity ensemble,

placed second in the state in the March Category with their march, Grand Galop

by Johnnie Vinson. The Kennedale Junior

High Symphonic Band, the non-varsity ensemble, placed second in the state in

the Concert Category with their piece, Heroes Triumphant by William Owens.

only non-varsity band to make it to top tier …

The KJHS Symphonic Band performance earned a special honor by making it into the top tier. It was the only ?non-varsity? band at that

level beating out all other non-varsity bands as well as most varsity bands

including the KJHS Honors Band, a very unusual accomplishment for any program

and a first for Kennedale.

On February 12, at the Texas Music Educators Association

Clinic/Conference in San Antonio, the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB)

recognized KJHS band directors, Ben Brown and Eleanor Macias, for this

accomplishment.

This is Mr. Brown third year year and Ms. Macias sixth year

at Kennedale Junior High.