The Kimball High School Marching Band. Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD.
14 Dallas ISD marching bands will be up before the sun rises Saturday to prepare for a Battle of the Bands competition. It will be the first Battle of the Bands competition since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning at 8 a.m., the event will be held at the Sprague Athletic Complex near Kimball High School, and tickets can be purchased at the door for $15 or in advance at any participating high school for $10.
Sunset High School, Carter High School, Townview Magnet Center, Roosevelt High School, Pinkston High School and Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy are some of the schools from Oak Cliff, West Dallas and Southern Dallas that will compete in the competition.
There will also be a special guest performance from the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm.
“The High School Battle of the Bands is an exciting event for bands to showcase their God-given talents. This event is like no other for the students, schools and the community,” said Dean Hill, a Dallas ISD band director for 47 years who was a catalyst for the Battle of the Bands event, in a statement. “The level of excitement is unprecedented, and the band directors will experience a greater level of competence, confidence and commitment from their members in preparing for an amazing, winning show.”
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund the music programs at participating schools and scholarships for students.
The return of the Battle of the Bands event is due in large part to a sponsorship from The Confidence Group, a DFW-based firm that supports education outreach for students.
“Providing scholarships and music programs to students, particularly minority students, is a game-changer for
them. It not only allows them to explore their talents and interests, but it opens doors to potential careers in
the arts,” said Isaac Barnes, CEO of The Confidence Group.
Three high school students will be awarded $1,000 scholarships during the event, and other prizes, such as cash, iPads and Beats Studio headphones, will be handed out to students.
Here is the full list of marching bands competing in the event:
1. Wilmer Hutchins High School
2. Skyline High School
3. Sunset High School
4. David W. Carter High School
5. Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center
6. W.W. Samuell High School
7. James Madison High School
8. Franklin D. Roosevelt High School
9. L.G. Pinkston High School
10. Hillcrest High School
11. Justin Kimball High School
12. D.A. Hulcy “STEAM” Middle School
13. Billy E. Dade Middle School
14. Oliver W. Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy
