Another Year, Another Sweepstakes!!!
2007-08
The Eagle band has began the 07-08 school year with a bang. With an enrollment of about 90 students, the band continues to be the largest Class A Six-man School band in the state of Texas and is also one of the largest Class A bands in the State. Marching season ended as one of the best in the history of Ropes ISD. The band paid tribute to the contributions made to music by Russian composers by performing three Russian compositions. This years show included Russian Sailor's Dance, Sabre Dance, and the Great Gate of Kiev. This show not only honored these Russian composers, but the Band also honored Ropes ISD with the playing of The Great Gate of Kiev. This piece of music was adopted years ago by Ropes ISD as their Alma Mater.
For the third year in a row, on October 20, the band received a Division I at Marching contest, which qualified them for the Area A Marching Contest in Amarillo on October 27. After an outstanding performance in the preliminary contest, the band placed 6th out 22 bands, and earned the right to perform under the lights of Dick Bivins Stadium that night as a top ten finalist, a first for the Eagle band. This honor established them as an elite band in Area A. Congratulations band on a job well done.
On April 10, the band traveled to Sudan High School and competed in the UIL Concert and Sight-reading contest. Upon arrival, the band walked into a dark Sudan High School thanks to the high West Texas Winds. The entire city of Sudan had lost electricity but shortly regained power. The Eagle Band took the stage for warm ups with anxiety of giving the best performance of the year. After a more than solid performance, the band entered the sight reading room ready to finish off a third straight sweepstakes. Just as they did one year prior, they breezed through the sight-reading piece with little difficulty.
As the band left the sight-reading room, the directors went to find out the fate of the 2008 ratings. When the ratings were announced, there was nothing but grins as the band had received straight division one's in both concert and sight-reading, and a third straight sweepstakes trophy was going to be presented to the Eagle Band for the first time in school history.
The Eagle band has had a phenomenal year, but is not yet over. Not only did the band earn a sweepstakes with their concert ratings, but they were able to officially accept an invitation to play at the State Wind Festival in Austin on May 3, 2008. The band woke up early to make their way up I-35 to the campus of The University of Texas to perform at the State Wind Festival. This was a great honor as there was only fourteen bands throughout the state of Texas to be invited to this event. At 8:00 a.m., the first down beat was played which began a performance each student will forever remember. The band played three pieces, Newcastle March, Medieval Legend, and Knights of Dunvegan. As the performance came to a close, the Eagle band played with great pride and was able to show that they may come from a small school, but the talent, ability, and pride found at Ropes can compete with the best of them. The band was able to spend about thirty minutes with Dr. John Whitwell, Director Emeritus at Michigan State University. Dr. Whitwell had nothing but praises and complements for the Eagle band.
The morning concluded with the band listening to other outstanding bands from other classifications. The band was also able to absorb some Texas History as they were able to take a tour of the Texas State Capitol. After spending a long day at the performance, capitol, and swimming at the hotel, they were able to satisfy their hungers at Spaghetti Warehouse. Everyone had plenty to eat and was ready for a good nights sleep to be ready for the final day of the trip. The Eagle band woke up the next morning to cloudy skies and cool temperatures (at least by Austin standards) but nothing was going to keep them out of the water at Schlitterbahn. This was a great time for everyone to sit back, relax, and have some fun at the country's number one rated water-park. The water was a little cool, but it was still a wonderful experience.
The 2007-08 school year could not have been much more successful for the Eagle band as they have soared to new heights that will be tough to match. The Ropes Eagle Band has officially arrived as one of the elite programs of the Area A and also is getting attention from around the state of Texas. Thanks to everyone for your support this year. There is so much to a program of this level and it would not be possible without the support and dedication that you have given the band. Also, there is a special thanks to the graduating class of 2008. We will have eight seniors graduating and not return next year. Thank you for your leadership, dedication, support, and love to the program for the last five years. Without your help, the turn around and the growth of the Eagle band program would not have been possible.
2006-07
The Ropes Eagle Band celebrated its 50 year anniversary during the 2006-07 school year with a back to back sweepstakes. Ropes ISD is very excited that the band program has sustained a high level of pride for half a century. Homecoming was held on September 29, 2006 and featured a Ropes Eagle Alumni band at both the pep rally and the football game. It was an enjoyable event for all.
The Eagle Band began the year great as they honored the ever popular band by playing the best of Earth, Wind, & Fire. Riding the success of the 2005-2006 Sweepstakes, the Eagle Band is soared to new heights, claiming another Sweepstakes banner with Division I's in Marching Band, Concert Band, and Sight-reading. With an enrollment of more than 70 members in the 2006-2007 band, Ropes is home to the largest Class A Six-Man band in the state of Texas.
As you can see, the Ropes Eagle Band has had a rich history. We would like to begin compiling the vast history on our website and for our records so that the generations to come can look back and be proud of what the band has accomplished over the years. If you have any pictures and stories about traditions, trips, etc... please e-mail them to the band and we can begin restoring the history of the program.
