NACOGDOCHES — After taking a recent hiatus from competing at the National Association of Military Marching Bands state competition, the Big Green Marching Machine showed that they have still got it.
Winning first place in the 6A classification, the Longview High School band gave it their all on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Stephen F. Austin State University. The return to the competition was a decision made by the band director Rhonda Daniel who was hired this past summer.
Director of Bands Rhonda Daniel said the entire band and staff was 'extremely excited to bring this tradition back!'
'We had to keep up the intensity in our practices for the two weeks following UIL in order to compete at State Level,' she said.
The NAMMB contest sees bands compete with military marching where the band marches in precise, straight lines while performing live music.
Daniel said the band's initial goals were to 'have our best performance of the year and earn a first division rating at the contest.'
'We knew going into this that the Lobo Band has always made a first division at NAMMB,' she said.
Although it was LHS’ first time competing in years, all five judges rated the band first division along with winning first place in 6A. Kingwood’s band was the 6A competition for Daniel’s band to defeat which they did with their 9-minute-long performance.
Once again, Daniel said, 'our students rose to the challenge and put an impressive performance on the field.'
'The NAMMB contest is a competition, but also a celebration of military-style marching,' she said. 'It was exciting to see our students experience that for the first time!'
Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said this accomplishment 'is just the latest indication of the incredible things that are happening with our elite marching band.'
'It also shows just how committed Mrs. Daniel is — not only continuing the Lobo Band's longtime tradition of excellence — but to pushing it to even greater heights!' he said.
