During a day of record temperatures, the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band competed in the 2014 Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) Marching Contest on October 25th. Enduring the heat, the band performed at Nolan Catholic High school in Fort Worth against other private schools from all over the area. However, the JURB was unable to stay and watch their competition because they had to swiftly leave for the homecoming dance later that night. Despite this sense of urgency, they were still able to achieve a perfect score and place second in their division.
In preparation for the band
’s second competition of the year, Donovan Putnam, the director of the band, said that it all started two weeks before at the first competition, Little Elm High School’s Classic on the Lake. “[The contest], primarily, was a way for us to see what we needed to work on…like marching technique, fundamentals, and tone quality.” He also noted the shift in focus from simply learning the show to working on minute details in music and marching that make-or-break performance. Echoing this sentiment, Drum Major Jake Radcliff ‘15 believes that the first competition started moving the band’s focus to their technique and style while the two week in between were spent “really focusing on the small details.”
As a result of all the preparation, Mr. Putnam believes that the performance was “the best to date this year.” He went on to explain that he is pleased with how the band peaked in performance at the perfect time. “Sometimes, [a band] can peak too soon” and not give the best possible performance when it is needed. Using almost the exact same words, Radcliff said that the performance at contest was “the best that we’ve done so far this year,” citing the concentration on small details as the outstanding reason.
In recognition for all the hard work, the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band was awarded three 1’s at contest (three categories scored 1-5), a 1 meaning a ‘superior’ performance in the categories of either musicality, marching, and general effect. In years past, it would not be uncommon for the band to get a 1-1-2, making the band’s triple 1 “a big deal,” said Mr. Putnam. In fact, “you don’t get a 1 if [the judges] see any flaws” in the performance, he continued. A band needs to be near perfect to be awarded a one so, with a one in each category, JURB can easily consider the contest a success.
In addition to the scores, the band was also awarded a caption which is particular recognition for an outstanding aspect of a performance. This year, seniors Jake Radcliff and Drew Curran were awarded the ‘Outstanding Drum Majors Caption’ in acknowledgement for their exceptional leadership of the band. Radcliff explained that clearly visible conducting patterns and tempo are “things that both [Drew and I] strive to improve every day” and led to the success that has been seen. In addition to skillfully doing what is expected from them, the drum majors also shoulder another burden to go above and beyond: a solo near the end of the show. While Curran takes the sole responsibility of directing the entire band, all attention shifts toward Radcliff as he picks up his saxophone and plays a jazzy solo from his podium. He humbly admitted that it could “add to the involvement factor…and lead to more points.”
However, these accomplishments are bittersweet in the eyes of the class of 2015 for the contest was the last they would compete in. Looking back, Radcliff realizes that “I’ll never have something like this again” for it is the people, not that activity, that makes playing in the Jesuit Ursuline Ranger Band special. This is not the end, though! JURB looks forward to supporting the football team through a hopefully long playoff run and getting started on music for the concert season.
