This week the Hope High School band’s members are still in the glow of success after a second-place finish in the 5A conference and an award for Outstanding Visual performance overall at the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association contest in War Memorial Stadium Tuesday, November 12th.  

“We had a couple bands go before us, and then we are able to really set the standard for the day,” Hope Bands Director Chris Davis said. 

The band also learned of its placement for the first time in the Power Band rankings, coming in at 12th.  Only Paragould among 5A schools ranked higher, at 10th.  Davis said the performance of this year’s band was a culmination of years of progress since he took the position of director.  

“It's showing progress. Five years ago, we didn't qualify for state.  Four years ago, we were dead last. We've gone up almost 30 points, which is a lot out of 100,” he said. 

At this point in its academic year, Davis said the band will begin rehearsing for its holiday band performances. On December 2nd,, it will appear in a Christmas Parade.  On December 10th the Hope High band as well as the junior high band will perform in a holiday concert at Hempstead Hall on the UA-Hope-Texarkana Hope campus. Davis said the high school band will perform music by Randall Standridge, an Arkansas-based composer born in 1976. 

In the spring, the high school band will be split into two ensembles that each will work up technically challenging musical pieces suited for further developing the band members’ skills. “Good marching seasons are built in the spring,” Davis said. 

Thinking is already happening about next year’s marching season show.  “We already have ideas. We're just have to find an arranger and get the drill set out. It's going to be perfect for Hope kids. It’s not going to be depressing. It's not going to be folk; it's going to be fun,” Davis said. 

The Inked Threads Band Performer of the Week, the last of the year, is Geraldo Rodriguez, who is a strong musician and has shown great work ethic in his work on marching. As a sophomore tenor saxophonist, he said “we always push each other. Some kids do it more than others, and I want to be a leader later in the future.” He added that he takes pride in the reputation the Hope band is building and enjoys helping bring the next generation of band members along.