Cougar Band trombonist named Outstanding Performer at State Solo & Ensemble Contest
posted 6/17/04

Clark trombonist Ryan T. has been notified by the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Music Office that he was selected as an Outstanding Performer for his solo performance of Alexandre Guilmant's "Morceau Symphonique" at the 2004 UIL Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest (TSSEC) held May 29 & 31 at the University of Texas in Austin. A notification letter from UIL State Music Director Richard Floyd indicated that out of approximately 20,000 students who performed at TSSEC for Band, Choir and Orchestra, only 182 students earned the distinguished honor of being recognized as an Outstanding Performer.

In recognition of his achievement, Ryan received a draped gold medallion of the type awarded to state champions in all Texas UIL events. Additionally, Ryan’s name and photo will be included in the next edition of the UIL Book of Champions, a publication honoring Texas high school students who reach the highest level of achievement in UIL competition.
 

• Tori M. - Twirling
• Ryan T. - Trombone

• Anthony M. - Keyboard Percussion
• Jordan N. - Alto Saxophone
• Joann P. - Keyboard Percussion

Clark received awards for the "Best 5A Band" and "Best Drum Majors" at the 67th Annual Battle of Flowers Band Festival held Thursday, April 22 at Alamo Stadium. The purpose of the Band Festival, a Fiesta tradition since 1936, is to encourage interest in the study of music. This year's competition, themed "A Kaleidoscope of Texas Music," featured 29 area high school bands and guard units in judged, parade-style marching performances, and a unique, collective finale performance of all the participating bands under the direction of guest conductor Dale Schulz of St. Mary's University.

On Friday, April 23, despite grey skies and occasional rain showers, the Cougar Band again delivered a superb performance at the Battle of Flowers Parade, winning 1st Place among all of the in-town high school band participants. Founded in 1891, the annual Battle of Flowers Parade is San Antonio's largest parade and serves not only to entertain, but also to promote Texas history and patriotic traditions of Texas and San Antonio. The parade was broadcast live on KENS 5.

Clark Band students excel at UIL Solo & Ensemble
posted 2/26/04

Congratulations to all the Cougar Band musicians for their efforts at the UIL Regional Solo & Ensemble Contest, held February 19 at Clark High School

The following Clark students took home medals for earning 1st Division (Superior) ratings for solo and/or ensemble performances:

 * Denotes students eligible for Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest

Woodwind Solos

Brass Solos

Percussion Solos

Woodwind Ensembles

Brass Ensembles

Percussion Ensembles

Special Awards

The following students also received special recognition for their performances:

Clark Band tenor trombonist named All-State musician
posted 1/10/04

Congratulations to Clark senior Mike H. for being named to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Band/Orchestra!

Mike earned the honor of All-State musician by placing second chair on tenor trombone at the TMEA Area E auditions held Saturday, January 10, at Judson High School.

The distinction of All-State musician is the highest honor a high school band or orchestra student can achieve on an individual level in the state of Texas. For his accomplishment, Mike earned the privilege to participate in the 2004 TMEA All-State Clinic, Convention, and Concerts to be held February 11-14 at the Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. This annual event is one of the most highly regarded music education and performance conventions in the nation.

Way to go, Mike!
 

32 Cougar Band students place in All-Region Band , 17 to advance to Area
posted 12/13/03

Clark Cougar Band musicians produced outstanding results at the All-Region Band auditions held December 12 and 13 at Jay High School.

Thirty-two Clark students earned placement in the Region XI All-Region Band, and 17 of those qualified to advance to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Area auditions in January, to compete for TMEA All-State honors.

Congratulations to the following Clark students for being named to the 2003-2004 All-Region Band
(* = advances to Area):                        

Bb Clarinet 
Kristen F., 2nd*
Carey V., 14th
Jacqui Y., 15th
Stephanie W., 16th

Alto Clarinet
Stephanie F., 1st*

Bass Clarinet
Bryan G., 2nd*
Matt M., 4th

Alto Saxophone
Jordan N., 6th
Emily P., 9th

Tenor Saxophone
Adam C., 1st*
Courtney K., 3rd

Bassoon
Ben S., 2nd*
Nick G., 4th*

Horn
Chris S., 7th*
Lisa B., 10th
Chris Y., 14th 

Tenor Trombone
Mike H., 1st*
Joshua M., 2nd*
Ryan T., 5th*

Bass Trombone
Anthony B., 1st*

Baritone
Virgil H., 2nd*

Tuba
Travis G., 5th

Percussion
Mark R., 6th*
Joann P., 11th

Area auditions are scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2004, at Judson High School. 

Sixteen Clark Cougar Band musicians traveled to Southwest High School on Thursday, November 6, to compete in the Texas Music Educations Association (TMEA) All-Region Orchestra auditions, with four earning placement in the All-Region Orchestra:

Bryan G. – 1st chair, Bass Clarinet
Mike H. – 1st chair, Tenor Trombone
Katie O. – 2nd chair, Flute
Ben S. – 2nd chair, Bassoon

As regional qualifiers, Bryan, Mike, Katie and Ben will perform in the TMEA Region XI Orchestra concert to be held November 22 at Clark High School. Additionally, Mike, Katie, and Ben qualified to advance to the Area auditions in January 2004 to compete for TMEA All-State honors.*

Two other Clark students, Joshua M., tenor trombone, and Kristen F., clarinet, placed as alternates.

Congratulations to all of the Clark Band students who tried out, for their hard work and discipline in preparing for the tough competition.

*Bryan does not advance to Area, as All-Region Orchestra does not qualify bass clarinets for an advanced audition. Bass clarinets may qualify for Area only at the All-Region Band auditions to be held in December.

Cougar Band scores its 25th 1st Division rating at UIL Marching Contest
posted 10/18/03

For the 25th year in a row, the Clark Cougar Marching Band earned a 1st division rating at the annual UIL Region XI Class 5A Marching Contest, held Saturday, October 18, 2003, at Southwest ISD Stadium.

For its performance featuring music from “Gladiator,” the band received the highest possible rating from each of the three judges, leading to the overall superior rating.

The UIL contest culminated the Cougar Band's series of marching competitions for the 2003-2004 school year. High school bands alternate years in which they are eligible to advance to the area UIL marching contests that lead to the state finals. Since Clark and other Class 5A bands were eligible to advance to the area competition last year, they will not compete at the area level this year.

Clark Woodwinds and Guard take top honors at Harlandale Marching Contest
posted 10/11/03

Braving soggy weather and a fire ant-ridden warmup field, the Clark Cougar Band delivered a superb performance at the Harlandale Marching Festival, held Saturday, October 11, at Harlandale Memorial Stadium.

Clark's woodwind sections and color guard received honors for "Outstanding Woodwinds" and "Outstanding Guard," while the Cougar Band as a whole placed 4th overall among all the 5A bands in the competition, edged out of 3rd place by a mere 1/10 of of a point.

Congratulations to all of the Cougar Marching Band students for a job well done!

"Drums Along the Medina" Marching Contest
posted 10/04/03

Congratulations to the Cougar Marching Band for placing 5th in the Open Class division of the "Drums Along the Medina" Marching Contest held at Southwest High School Stadium on Saturday, October 4. For the competition Clark performed its UIL show, "Grace, Valor and Honor" from the movie "Gladiator." The Clark band directors expressed praise for their students' performance, noting a narrow point spread between the top five finishers at the event. 

TMEA All-Region Jazz Ensemble
posted 9/27/03

UIL Region XI Twirling Solo & Ensemble
posted 9/11/03

This past summer Tori was named 2003 Miss Majorette of Texas, by the Texas chapter of the National Baton Twirling Association. Tori earned the title by receiving the highest overall score in a three-part competition held in Lubbock.