The Yellowjacket Band from Jim Bowie Land has been making its presence known under 5th year band director Lyndsey Gold. In 2019 Gold led her students to a 5th place finish overall in the 1-A state competition. Last year— 2020— was not a year Menard was eligible to advance. The UIL has requirements in place making it possible to advance to state only every other year.
This year held the possibility of advancement, and the Jackets did just that, earning all (3 of 3) Division 1 scores at the regional contest in San Angelo on Saturday, October 16 and placing in the top three 1A bands of the day. Menard, along with Irion County (Mertzon) and Baird were the three state qualifiers from the region. The 1-A state contest will take place on Tuesday, November 2, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Preliminary marching order is not yet determined, but should the Jackets make it to the final round, that is scheduled to be held at 7:30 p.m. the evening of November 2.
Being creative with a small band is not easy, yet Gold manages to come up with a doozy each year. This year, with the addition of a flag corps, the performance was easily comparable to a larger school’s arrangement. Not only is Gold directing a small band, she is directing a very young band. Of the 41 total band members, 12 are 7th graders (3rd year band and first year marchers), 11 are 8th graders, rounding out with just 18 total high school students.
Drum majors for the band this year are juniors Aminy Anderson and Roy Brown. Brown is also the first chair 1-A state horn player.
The Menard News will keep real-time contest updates on their Facebook page on the day of competition.