Another Year, Another Sweepstakes!!!
2009-2010
The Fall of 2009 brought lots of promise to the Eagle Band. After four straight years of sweepstakes, the Eagle band now had a senior class that had experienced nothing less than division ones. This tradition is one that has now become an expectation within the Eagle Band Program. The Eagle Band began summer practices in August with the hopes of advancing to the Area finals once again and shooting for a chance to perform in the Alamo Dome at the UIL State Marching Contest. The Eagle band marched into Lowery field for the Region XVI Marching Contest with their heads held high. "Lleyenda de los Mustangs performed by the Ropes High School Band" was announced. After an excellent performance by the Eagle Band, they went to the stands to watch the other bands and await the announcement of their ratings. Even though the Eagle Band came up a little short on the ratings sheets, they left their hearts on the field. Once again, the Eagle band was the talk of the region. "Can you believe how difficult of a show the Ropes band performed and can you believe how well they performed it. It had to be the toughest show of the region." was the typical conversation of spectators and other band directors around the region. The reputation of the Eagle band is second to none. The Eagle band also never let their pride get in the way of their disappointment. They continued to hold their head high.
The spring brought great promise. Even though the Band came up a little short on the marching field, the work and preparation that had been done set the band up for nothing but success on the concert stage. The band travelled to Sudan on April 15 to perform at the Region XVI Concert and Sight-reading contest. On stage, the band performed Our Heritage March, by Karl King, Ye Banks and Braes, O' Bonnie Doon,arr. Sweeny, and Westridge Overture , by Barnes. The band took the stage with great confidence and was once again the talk of the region for the difficulty of their performance. This time, the Eagle Band did not come away empty handed as they impressed the judges and earned a division 1. The Sight-reading room brought a difficult challenge. The band was up for the challenge and breezed through the piece with little difficulty. The band left Sudan with a Sweepstakes (b). This is the fifth straight sweepstakes earned by the Eagle band. Congrats also to the 2010 Seniors as they will be one of the most successful graduating classes to ever graduate out of the Eagle Band program.
2008-09
The Eagle band has once again began a campaign that is on the road to an unprecedented fourth sweepstakes in a row. Once again with the largest enrollment of any six-man school band in the state of Texas, the band stormed into marching season. With the ever popular music of the west, the band took the field every Friday night ready to impress every onlooker.
The marching show entitled, "The Music of the West" included an original composition by James Swearingin titled Trails of Glory and was followed by the ever popular theme Silverado. The show was closed with a medley from The Alamo and How the West was Won. After many Monday night rehearsals and even several rehearsals in the morning fall rains, the show came together and was a hit at the Region 16 Marching contest. The students gave one of the best performances of the day that is still being talked about. Their performance at Lowery field earned them a fourth straight division one in marching and gave the band momentum heading into concert season.
After a great marching season, the band slowed down a bit to get ready for their concert season. There were many skills across the band that were sharpened by the playing of some very tough music. Tone, balance, and reading were just three areas that were addressed during the months leading up to the concert/sight-reading contest.
On April 16, the Eagle Band traveled across the county to Sundown to compete in the Region 16 Concert and Sight-reading contest. The bands program included Fort Cantebury March, Medieval Legend, and Moscow, 1941. After another superb performance, the band went to the sight-reading room. Once again, the hard work paid off as the band breezed through the sight-reading piece. As the band was ready to load the bus, the directors came to the parking lot with more loot for the band hall. A fourth straight sweepstakes trophy was presented to the band as they received a Division One in both concert and sight-reading. Congratulations band on a job well done.
Although many bands kick back after the spring contest, the Eagle band was not yet done. Their reputation has been growing in Texas, and they are now ready to take it national. The band traveled to Branson, Missouri on May 7, and had a scheduled performance at Silver Dollar City on May 8. Unfortunately mother nature interfered with the bands plans to perform, as the concert was rained out, but this did not dampen the spirits of the kids. There were many comments made around the park about how great and well mannered the Eagle Band was. This is a true attribute to the kids. The fun did not stop at Silver Dollar City because the band also experience segways and got to race go carts. The Branson Belle was a true experience for everyone because it was such an amazing show. The dinner show that featured over 40 show stopping hits from Broadway and a ventriloquist and his talking dogs as entertainment for everyone on board the boat. When the band finally returned home to Ropesville, they began to pack up the band hall for the final time this year after what was an exceptional year on so many different levels.
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.
