Good Vibes Only: Hanks High Band competes at state for 7th straight year

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KVIA)—During the UIL 5A State Marching Band contest, the J.M. Hanks High School Band ranked 21st overall. The local school band performed the award-winning show “Coming Undone” inside the Alamodome in San Antonio earlier this week.

For seven consecutive years, the team has advanced to state after winning the area championship.

“It’s just been nonstop practices, just putting all the pieces of the show. It's just so many different parts and components that just have to be brought together at the right time, at the right moment to make sure that everything fits when it's supposed to,” said James Cordova, the head band director at Hanks High.

The band had been preparing for several weeks now, requiring early-morning and late-night practices. “Because of that passion. They're excited, and even though it's been hard work, it's worth it.”

A total of 184 Hanks High School marching band students traveled for the competition. The band director said his students were feeling eager to perform at the Alamodome.

“Amazing. It's three tiers of 75,000 people. And the crowd gets full, and it's loud. It's such a great experience playing in that stadium.”

Seniors Kaitlyn Hernandez and Sophia Ledesma said they were looking forward to their final state competition.

“Amazing. It's a, it's a great honor and opportunity for all of us to be able to represent our city,” Hernandez said.

“We see each other every day. We're here from 6:00 in the morning until late after school, so spending every day together, you kind of have to be a family,” added Ledesma.

Members of the band and the directors were proud to represent the Sun City.

“Really excited to see other bands as well kind of accomplish the same thing, to put El Paso on the map, and we're doing a really good job,” said Luis Ibarra, the assistant band director.

Hanks High officials said its marching band ranked in 21st in the state, 8 places ahead of last year. It also marks the highest placement of any school in West Texas.

Additionally, Horizon High School placed 36th out of 39 at the UIL 5A competition. El Dorado High School’s marching band placed 35th out of 39.

Congratulations to all Borderland marching bands!