On October 29 the Lindale High School military marching band competed at the UIL 4A State Military Marching Competition in Waco, Texas, at the Baylor MacLaine Stadium and received their fifth consecutive gold medal. As of now, Lindale is the only school to receive a gold medal within the 4A division since the state competition’s installment five years ago.
“When we found out that Lindale had won, I instantly filled with joy,” head drum major Sarah Christian said. “It was truly special to see and feel how each member cared for me and hugged me afterward.”
Last year, head band director Steven Moore retired and his role was taken over by head band director Weston Fisher. Fisher has been a band director for 17 years and this year is his eighth year directing in Lindale.
“Mr. Moore cannot be replaced,” head band director Weston Fisher said. “I just took over a job description and I’m doing it the best I can, but I have gotten tons of support from so many people and the kids and the community.”
The band started practicing for this year’s competition in July, prior to the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. They marched playing The Pride of Lindale Fanfare by Tim Rhea, 10th Regiments by Robert Brown Hall, Thunder and Blazes by Julius Fucik, Boys of the Old Brigade by W. Paris Chambers, His Honor by Henry Fillmore and Battle Hymn of the Republic.
“I think this year’s music and marching was the hardest that I’ve been a part of,” junior squad leader Owen Bewersdorf said. “However, thanks to all the work we put in, we were able to overcome the difficulties and look and sound great.”
The band competed in the Longview 4A UIL Military Marching Band Competition in order to qualify for the state competition. They received a first division rating from all three judges who participated in the event.
“I didn’t feel amazing about our drill up to the Longview competition, but once we had done it and realized that our standards in Lindale are just really high, I felt better about how everything was going to end up going,” junior Braeden Kennedy said. “Making it to state was a huge relief, especially in the face of band director changes and doubt among the band.”
The band left Lindale for Waco on October 28 and stayed overnight in preparation for the next day’s competition. The next day, prior to the competition, the band practiced at the Waco ISD Stadium for 45 minutes.
“Band this year has honestly pushed me more than any other year in band has ever pushed me,” squad leader Audrey Yang said. “It was a lot more work during the march itself because most of the drill was just marching, and we barely ever stopped to stand still and play.”
Lindale competed in the state preliminary round at 3:45 p.m.. After the performance they stayed in the stadium stands and waited for the rest of the band’s performances.
”Every year, the gap between our level of performance compared to the other schools’ levels gets closer and closer,” drum major Josie Roach said. “This year felt the hardest, in my opinion, because we had the pressure of number five.”
The band received a total of seven points during the preliminary round, giving them the lowest score out of all the bands competing in the 4A competition. Since band points are scored the same as golf, this qualified the band for the final round and put them ahead of the other competing bands.
”I think we advanced through sheer work,” junior squad leader Kirby Kleam said. “I don’t believe the state competition had one band that out worked us this year.”
Lindale competed first during the finals at 8:30 p.m.. After the performance they loaded their equipment for the trip home and returned to the field in uniform for the placement announcements.
“This year, the competition was the same as it is every year, but everyone in the Lindale band had a goal of winning gold at state,” junior squad leader Jocelyn Smith said. “I wouldn’t say it was difficult to win because we all knew we worked so hard, and we all wouldn’t let anyone take our gold even if it was from our cold, dead hands.”
In preparation for the announcement of winners, all the bands lined up on the field. They were not allowed to react verbally or physically to the announcements until being released from formation.
”I remember standing there feeling every emotion possible,” Roach said. “Hearing Spring Hill’s name being called second was like a weight being lifted knowing that we accomplished our goal.”
Lindale was announced as the first place winner, with second being the Spring Hill band and the Gilmer band as third. Lindale received five ones, leaving them with five points, Spring Hill received a 14 and Gilmore received a 15.
”I am very proud of their win and I am even more proud of how they adjusted and elevated their performance from prelims to finals,” head band director West Fisher said. “Their finals run was the best run of their season and that is all a band director can hope for.”
