SANTO—For the fifth consecutive year, the Santo Wildcat Band will compete in the UIL State Marching Band Contest in San Antonio, Nov. 12.
Band Director Mark Belding said the Wildcats ranked in the top ten in the past four state competitions. Last year they narrowly missed that notable streak by one – they placed eleventh, he added.
That’s an impressive record considering the 37-member band is repeatedly outnumbered by its challengers.
“We are consistently the smallest band that competes,” Belding said. “I call us the little band that could.”
The Santo group won first place against 16 other UIL Class 2A marching bands at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells, Nov. 2. Now that little engine that could steams ahead to the upcoming state event along with the second and third-place qualifiers.
Belding said Santo is vying to be in the top seven this year in San Antonio. If that happens, the Wildcats will be invited back for a second performance in the evening contest.
Rob Richardson plans to be at the competition with the rest of his family supporting his granddaughter, Wildcat Band member Kaelynn Strawser. She plays the clarinet.
Richardson said he was a drum major back in the day, making his granddaughter’s achievement extra special.
“I’m an old band boy from Mineral Wells High School in 1969,” Richardson noted. “I’m absolutely thrilled for Kaelynn. She’s really into the whole performance scene and wants everybody to do well.”
Belding attributes the band’s success to the outpouring of support from family members, Santo ISD trustees, Superintendent Greg Gilbert and the community.
The disciplined and committed kids who devote years to the program are vital as well, he added. Santo ISD’s band curriculum starts in fifth grade.
“The Santo band program has always been a really, really great program,” Belding said. “We want to celebrate our students. We try to make it as memorable as possible.”
The school is hosting a send-off parade for the Wildcat Band during first period right after 8 a.m., Nov. 11. The community is encouraged to line up in downtown Santo to cheer for band members as they march on to state.
