Bison Band earns first-ever Division I (Superior) rating in UIL Regional contest

Congratulations to the BHS band, which earned Division I rating at the UIL concert! Front Row (left to right): Ana Gonzalez, Amberleigh Veretto, Christine Hallmark, Haley Ellison, Dalila Rendon, Joshua Carrillo, and Kyle Reeder. Second row: Samantha Atkinson, Patrick Grant, Brooke Mills, Shonatara Jones, Michael Morelock (Drum Major), Donovin Lott, Ivan Rivas. Back row: Christian Negron, Jay Bosh, Curtis Yates, D.J. Jackson, Calvin Young, Mario Cortez, and Todd Baker (Band Director). The Buffalo Bison Band competed March 5th in Groesbeck at the Region 8 UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest.

Rather than head-to-head competition, all of the bands compete against a standard which is defined by a rating system. A Division I, or Superior, is the highest possible rating on a scale of “I” through “V”. The Bison band received a “I” in concert competition and a “II”, or Excellent, in sightreading competition. These ratings represent the highest marks that Buffalo has ever attained at a UIL contest and the first ever Division “I” rating in Buffalo’s history.

To commemorate this history making contest achievement, the plaque will have all thirty of the Buffalo Bison Band members’ names inscribed on it.

Director Todd Baker shared proudly, “Tony Clines, the UIL Region 8 Music Executive Secretary, has been helping me verify that this was indeed the first ever Division I rating that Buffalo has made. We own a few Division I trophies from some independent contests but none, until now, from an official UIL event.” Baker concluded, “I couldn’t be more proud of the way the students prepared, performed, and presented themselves. This was truly a high point in my career and should be a great boost for the students as we continue to build the band program here in Buffalo.”

After the contest the band celebrated with a fantastic pizza and spaghetti meal at Mickey’s Pizza in Buffalo.