Wednesday, October 2, 2024
The Pride of Granbury Marching Band once again demonstrated its musical and performance excellence, taking first place at the Wildcat Marching Festival last weekend at Godley High School. With twenty high school bands from across North Texas competing, Granbury’s victory was not just a win for their hometown but a statement of their hard work, dedication, and talent.
In addition to claiming the top spot in the overall marching competition, the Granbury band won numerous accolades in their classification. They brought home awards for Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Color Guard, and Outstanding Drum Majors. These achievements are a testament to the group's all-around excellence, from the musicians on the field to the students leading the show.
Cody Haddock, Granbury High School’s Director of Bands, couldn’t have been prouder of his students’ performance, both on and off the field. "The band’s performance on Saturday night was by far the best run of the year so far," Haddock shared. "The way the kids rehearsed all week set them up to have a great run, and they really set the tone for the rest of the year."
For Haddock and the students, the Wildcat Marching Festival win is the culmination of weeks of preparation and practice. Since the summer, the band has been diligently working on perfecting their routine, balancing musicality with intricate marching formations. Their hours of effort finally paid off under the stadium lights in Godley.
"Marching band is a great example of delayed gratification," Haddock explained. "We have been working on this show since the summer, so seeing pure joy on their faces makes all the long days worth it." That sense of accomplishment, after enduring the heat of summer practices and the long hours after school, is not lost on the students, who continue to push themselves for future performances.
An Inspiring Performance, On and Off the Field
While the band’s outstanding performance on the field was a highlight of the evening, Haddock was particularly moved by their behavior off the field. In his words, the students exhibited a level of maturity and respect that made him even prouder.
"While their performance on the field was inspiring, I was most impressed with how the band carried themselves off the field, with dignity and class," Haddock said. "They represented Granbury with pride and showed that success isn’t just about what you do, but how you do it."
Haddock’s emphasis on character is a significant part of the culture he’s built within the Granbury High School Band. For him, marching band is more than just music and movement—it’s about teaching life lessons. He sees the delayed gratification inherent in band culture as a way for students to understand the value of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. The victories on the field, according to Haddock, are only part of the equation.
Looking Ahead to the USBands Dallas Regional
The win at the Wildcat Marching Festival marks an exciting start to the Granbury band’s competitive season, and it gives the group momentum as they prepare for their next major challenge—the USBands Dallas Regional. This prestigious competition will see bands from across the state and beyond, and Haddock is confident that his students are up to the task.
"This is a great start to our competitive season, and we have some positive momentum heading into the USBands Dallas Regional," Haddock said. His optimism is rooted not just in their Wildcat performance, but also in the commitment he’s seen from his students over the last few months.
The Granbury band’s recent success has certainly energized the students, and they will continue to rehearse and refine their show in preparation for their upcoming competitions. The goal, of course, is to continue building on the success they’ve already achieved, with an eye toward state-level competitions later in the year.
More Than Music
While the accolades and trophies are rewarding, Haddock remains focused on the larger mission of the Granbury High School Band program. Beyond competition, he views marching band as a unique educational experience that teaches valuable life skills.
"Marching band teaches discipline, teamwork, and delayed gratification," Haddock reiterated. "It’s about learning how to work toward something bigger than yourself, and then experiencing the satisfaction of seeing it all come together."
That sense of unity and purpose is what drives Haddock and his students. The band’s victory at the Wildcat Marching Festival is not just a win for the community—it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when a group of young people work together toward a common goal.
For now, the Granbury High School Marching Band will continue rehearsing, confident in their abilities and excited for what lies ahead. As they move forward in their season, the entire Granbury community will no doubt be cheering them on, proud of what these students have already accomplished and eager to see what they will achieve next.
micky@hcnews.com
