The Howe High School band is headed to San Antonio. The Pride of Howe Band finished second among 10 finalists at the UIL 3A Area B marching contest on Saturday, Oct. 24, at C.H. Collins Stadium in Denton, according to the official UIL results, earning one of four state berths awarded there.
Howe also placed second in the morning preliminary round, which drew 20 bands. Whitesboro won both rounds, and Pottsboro and Holliday took third and fourth in the finals to claim the other two state spots. Pilot Point placed fifth. Bells, the other Grayson County program in the area finals, finished eighth.
That puts three Grayson County bands in the 3A state field: Howe, Whitesboro and Pottsboro, KXII reported Monday. The station said Howe and Whitesboro have made state before, while this is Pottsboro's first appearance.
When Howe performs
The 3A State Marching Band Championship is Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Alamodome. The preliminary schedule UIL posted lists 25 bands. Howe enters the field at 10:10 a.m. and performs at 10:15 a.m., sixth in the morning block. Whitesboro performs at 11 a.m. and Pottsboro at 1:45 p.m.
UIL plans to name 10 finalists at 4:30 p.m. The evening round opens with a ceremony at 7 p.m., the first finalist performs at 7:15 p.m., and the full band retreat and awards are scheduled for 10 p.m.
Tickets and viewing
UIL lists single-session tickets at $22 plus fees, and a ticket covering both 3A sessions, prelims and finals, at $38 plus fees. Ticketmaster and the Alamodome box office both sell them. On-site parking in Lot B costs $20, card only, with no re-entry. The NFHS Network is streaming the contest.
