Wildcats Band Director Spencer Emmert could probably relate with Joe Btfsplk. Joe was a comic strip character created by Al Capp in Lil’ Abner. Wherever Joe went, a dark rain cloud hovered over his head. The Wildcats Marching Band has been to two contests in three days, on Saturday (October 6) and Monday (October 8) and they were rained on at both. Emmert said the band was warmed up and ready to go both times when rains came.
The Mineola rain Monday lasted ten minutes or so but was enough the prohibit the band from using its grid tarp that Wildcats’ football fans may have seen on the field at halftime last Friday. Emmert said the grid is a big part of the show and is also a cool concept. He said the band is now 0-2 in contests as far as using the grid is concerned. Despite the distraction, once the rain stopped Monday, the band persevered and had a great performance according to Emmert.
He said all three judges at the Mineola contest gave the band the highest score of 1 or a first division rating. The percussion, color guard and drum majors also earned 1 ratings. Emmert said the contest also used a points system to determine the bands that would qualify for the finals. Out of 30 total bands, the top 8 made the finals. The Wildcats were the second ranked Class 5A band but they ended up just missing out on top eight status.
Emmert said after he reviewed tape of the band’s performance Monday, he determined that there were several levels above their performance level Saturday in Sunnyvale. He said several judges and band directors told him how well the Wildcats did, how well they communicated the concept of the show and how well they played and marched.
Emmert said contests were valuable for the judges’ critiques of the band and for performances the band gets under its belt in preparation for UIL competition, which takes place next Tuesday (October 16). Before that, the Wildcats will attend a third contest Saturday (October 13) in Mount Pleasant. Hopefully Joe Btfsplk will be far, far away.
