SMA Band Takes 4A Championship At State TAPPS Contest

San Marcos Academy’s upper school band outperformed 33 other schools to capture the TAPPS State Championship in Class 4A April 25.

The SMA Band also delivered a “Best in Class” performance at the “Big D Classic” Music Festival in Dallas April 12.

At the TAPPS championship in Temple, the band received the coveted “Sweepstakes” Award for both Concert and Sight Reading. They received first division ratings from all of the TAPPS judges for a Superior Performance in each of the categories. The band performed “Darklands March,” “Chishom Trail” and “Speedway.”  

For the Big D Classic, the band earned first division ratings from all three concert judges and was rewarded with an “Outstanding Performance” trophy and was named “Best in Class” for the Festival.  

SMA band students also picked up a total of 60 gold medals back in March at the TAPPS State Championship Solo & Small Ensemble competition in San Antonio, surpassing last year’s record of 58 medals.

The band will close out their outstanding year with full band as well as solo and small ensemble performances at the SMA Academy Awards, Baccalaureate and Commencement. The award-winning band is under the direction of Randy Leifeste.