For just the second time in 28 years, the Mount Pleasant Junior High School Honors Band earned a Sweepstakes award at the UIL Region 4 Middle School Concert and Sightreading contest held on Friday, March 28 at New Boston High School.

The band played 3 pieces on stage including “Union Station March” by Don Colquitt, “Danse de Espana” by Carol Brittin Chambers, and “Colliding Visions” by Brian Balmages, and had to sightread a piece they had never seen before. They earned Superior ratings for both their stage and sightreading performances, the highest ratings the band could receive. These ratings gave them a Sweepstakes award for the 2024-2025 year.

Members of the band include (Flutes) Aurora Ramirez, Drason McDaniel, Galilea Campos, Nathan Standefer, Stephanie Villeda, and Zaylin Madora, (Bb Clarinets) Brandon Perez, Cristal Leyva, Joshua Pantoja, Kevin Contreras, Kimberly Brake, and Zuri Astudillo, (Bass Clarinets) Efrain Ramos, Jimena Aguado, Joseph Zuniga, (Alto Saxophones) Aaron Robles, Aileen Sorto, Anthony Macareno, Dax Weatherly, and RJ Lloyd-Evans, (Tenor Saxophone) Fernando (Gold) Pina, (Trumpets) Brayden Chavez, Brenna Farley, David Rojas, Hannah Martinez, Klarissa Orduna, and Nicolas (Nico) Gonzalez, (Trombones) Julian Herrera, Luis Fernando, Nayeli Hernandez, and Roberto Vazquez, (Baritones) Anthony Moreno, Austin Whisenhunt, Eric Memjie, and Karsen Cassio, (Tuba) Allen Wilson, and (Percussion) Adaly Rosales, Aevin Jeffery, Derryana Franklin, Emilee Martinez, Hannah Hughes, Monica Gutierrez, Omar Castaneda, Yadiel Rodriguez, and Yuritzi Moreno.

“They invested countless hours of rehearsal time throughout contest season, and it was evident in their performances,” said Karen Luckett, Junior High Director of Bands. “The judges were very complimentary of their performances and overall demeanor.”

The MPJH Bands are directed by Karen Luckett and Chris Richard.

Photo: The Sweepstakes award winning Mount Pleasant Junior High Honors Band and Director, Karen Luckett (center)