UIL Concert Results, April 15-16, 2008
The Wind Symphony earned Superior ratings across the board (all "1's") !!!
The Symphonic I Band earned a Superior rating for their Onstage Performance.
Congratulations Eagle Bands!

Wind Symphony tours in Michigan & Indiana, April 1-5, 2008
The first stop of the Wind Symphony's tour was actually right at home in the Band Hall, March 31.  Then on to Texas A&M in Commerce April 1st.  After a solid performance, it's back on the busses for the long trip to Kalamazoo.  To prepare for the big conference at WMU, Mr. Blake conducted an open rehearsal at Otsego High School.  DeSoto High School's own Wind Symphony was one of only two high school bands invited to perform at the 40th Annual Spring Conference on Wind and Percussion Music at Western Michigan University.  Our talented Eagle Band featured "Solas Ane", composed by the Conference's guest Composer/Conductor, Samuel R. Hazo.  The Wind Symphony's final performance was at Elkhart Central High School, where our enduring band students and fearless directors, Harry Blake and Dave Addicks, completed their 5th performance of 8 songs in 5 days.  Congratulations to the DHS Wind Symphony!
Samuel R. Hazo with Harry D. Blake
WMU Conference links:  Mr. Hazo, Guest Composer  Guest HS Bands
Wind Symphony Program  Wind Symphony Members

2008 Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest Qualifiers
The following students qualified for this UIL contest, after performing for the District Solo & Ensemble Contest March 1, 2008:
12 SOLOISTS:  Simone Bailey (Flute), Alexys Maritt (Flute), Taylor Sims (Flute), Kirstie White (Flute),
Hakeem Davidson (Clarinet), Faith Rodgers (Clarinet), Mirachal Johnson (Bass Clarinet),
Allison Killian (Trumpet), Travis Lubbe (Trumpet), Aysha Welch (French Horn), Billy Finney (Percussion), Michaela Bradshaw (Percussion)
10 ENSEMBLES:  Clarinet Quartet (Amber Clayborn, Hakeem Davidson, Hector Matos, Faith Rodgers);
Mixed Clarinet Quartet (Carmelia Cox, Emille Hatchett, Naya Rivers, Aerial Wiley);
Mixed Woodwind Ensemble (Kristopher Bosma, Stephen Hellums, Haley King);  Flute Choir (Simone Bailey, Lorynda Benson, Susan Harris, Chelsea Jones, Alexys Maritt, Taylor Sims, Kirstie White);
French Horn Quartet (Stephen Cribbs, Jeremy Rollings, Matthew Taylor, Aysha Welch);
Tuba-Euphonium Quartet (Mickeala Carter, Ashley Clayborn, Michael Forbes, Chris Ross);
Brass Sextet (Mickeala Carter, Mateo Huerta, Fred Means, Chris Ross, Gabrielle Royal, Matthew Taylor);  Percussion Ensemble (Michaela Bradshaw, Jacob Bryant, Isaac Cerpa);  Percussion Ensemble (Jacob Bryant, Billy Finney, D'Ira Finney, Xavier Sigler);  Trumpet Quartet (Elijah Bell-Clarke, Allison Killian, Travis Lubbe, Gabrielle Royal)

Congratulations to the DeSoto HS Winter Guard on their outstanding performance Sat., Feb. 2nd, 2008, at Thomas Coliseum, Richland HS.  THEY WON 2nd PLACE in Scholastic A Class for a great start to the season. Members of the Winter Guard are:  KANDYCE ALEXANDER, LATOIA BRIM, AMBER BROWN, NATALIE CASTRO, AMBER HARRISON, LAKIESHA HUBBARD, STANIQUA PHILLIPS, JACQUILYN RANDOLPH, SADET SOTO, ORIANA STEVERSON, DIANA TOLLIVER, TINISHA WILLIAMS, MAHOGANY WILSON, and MEGAN YORK

Pre-Area Results (December 10, 2007):
Per Mr. Blake, "Hakeem Davidson (clarinet) qualified for Area in January in Waco; we had 10 students at pre-area . . . I’m extremely proud of all of the students."

All-Region Results (December 7-8, 2007):
The following DeSoto Eagle Band members made a great showing at All-Region auditions, and will participate in the All-Region clinic and concert January 18-19:
HONORS BAND:  Simone Bailey**, Jacob Bryant** (1st chair percussion), Hakeem Davidson**,
Mirachal Johnson, Hector Matos**, and Chris Ross**
SYMPHONIC BAND:  Elijah Bell-Clarke, Michaela Bradshaw (1st chair percussion),
Amber Clayborn, Ashley Clayborn**, Gabrielle Cox, Melissa Delaney (1st chair oboe), Mateo Huerta**, Travis Lubbe**, Hakeem Mumford, Faith Rodgers, Taylor Sims, and DeBron Young**
CONCERT BAND:  Isaac Cerpa (1st chair percussion), Allison Killian,
and Desmond Paramore (1st chair alto sax)
Alternates:  Samuel Bryan and Kirstie White**
                                ** Designates PRE-AREA qualifiers **

Congratulations to Fred Means, as he was awarded first chair on bass trombone in the Region's Jazz Band.  Fred will participate in the Jazz Clinic and Concert in Waxahachie on December 14-15, 2007.  Fred also qualified as an alternate in the Region Orchestra Band.  Way to go!

Duncanville Marching Invitational, November 3, 2007:
At the Preliminary Competition our Eagle Band earned a spot in the Top Ten Finals Competition, finishing 7th overall.  Their Finals performance was outstanding.

Region 20 UIL Marching Competition, October 20, 2007:
The DeSoto High School Eagle Band received Superior ratings in all categories (all "1's"), including an overall Superior rating, at the UIL Marching Competition.  A total of 32 high school bands performed in the event at Duncanville High School's football stadium.  DeSoto High School competed among 15 high schools in the 5A division.  WAY TO GO EAGLE BAND !!!