The Cedar Ridge Raider Band and the Round Rock Dragon Band reached new heights at the 6-A UIL State Marching Band Contest, held on Nov. 11-12 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Both bands made it to the finals, with Cedar Ridge placing 10th overall and Round Rock placing 13th. This achievement underscores their dedication, skill, and hard work throughout a long and challenging season.
Cedar Ridge Head Band Director Arminda Velasquez contributes her students’ success to the depth of their commitment.
“This is a long process,” she said. “It takes a lot of people to make shows like ours happen. In the community, parents helped build the props, our design team and staff worked tirelessly to create the shapes you saw out on the field and set it to music, and of course, our students. They start conditioning themselves for marching season around the end of July out in the sun and then work hard every day in practice to make sure they hit their marks.”
Velasquez said she’s proud to helm Cedar Ridge’s band program.
“We were definitely the smallest band performing in finals today,” she said. “For a 6-A program, we are quite small. That means you are always a soloist and you are always a teammate. Every single student is important out there, and we train them all equally to be ready to perform. They all get a sense of purpose and feel special on the field, which makes their performance feel that much more intense.”
The UIL State success followed an impressive run at the 2024 Bands of America (BOA) San Antonio Super Regionals, where the Round Rock Dragon Band, Cedar Ridge Raider Band, and McNeil Maverick Band all advanced to the Finals. This milestone marks the first time McNeil High School has made it to the finals, securing 15th place in a field of over 70 bands from across the country. Cedar Ridge and Round Rock placed 11th and 13th, respectively, displaying exceptional musical skill and dedication.
Round Rock ISD’s Director of Fine Arts- Music, Jager Loyde, praised the students and staff for their accomplishments this marching season.
“These are tremendous achievements at highly competitive events. It speaks volumes about the dedication of our students and staff and bodes well for the future of our programs,” he said.
Through both the UIL State Marching Contest and the Bands of America Super Regionals, Round Rock ISD bands have demonstrated excellence at the highest levels. Their performances at these prestigious contests showcase their talent and highlight the valuable learning they gain from some of the nation’s best judges and educators, fueling further program growth.
Congratulations to Round Rock, Cedar Ridge, and McNeil bands and their instructional staff for an exceptional season of musical excellence.
