The Herald-Zeitung

It was the Canyon High School marching band’s turn to compete in this year’s University Interscholastic League (UIL) marching band contest this past Saturday.

Each year, a different divison of schools competes. This year, it was the 4A schools.

Even in the midst of a transition to a new director, the band was one of ten selected to advance in the UIL Region 12 contest. That new director, Jason Adam, said he is pleased the band did so well after a quick adjustment period.

“They adjusted quickly and were able to be successful in my first year here,” Adam said.

Canyon did not make the top four to advance to the state finals this year, but with Adam less than three months on the job, the band still reached the regional finals.

A graduate of both the University of Texas at San Antonio and Boston University, Adam, a former band director at Tybee High School in Kerrville, replaced longstanding band director, Walter Sparkman. He took over in August

“I spent the last 11 years in Kerrville, and this was a good opportunity that opened up. I worked with Bob Whipkey (Canyon’s assistant band director) in Kerrville previously. It was a good opportunity to work alongside him again,” Adam said. “This band has a long tradition of excellence.”

The position of band director requires building long-term relationships, and students must adhere to a new teaching and directing style. That got the year off to a rocky start, but Adam is undeterred.

“Any time a director has been at a school a long time there are lots of relationships built,” he said. “I applaud the strong welcome I’ve been given.”Adam said each teacher brings his or her own personality and teaching style, reflected in the manner the students respond to it. “I didn’t want to change any methodology in the teaching. I just brought my own personality and energy to the project. There is always going to be some adjustment,” Adam said. The Cougar Band, which is made up of around 250 students, has 80 to 100 more players for him to manage than the Kerrville band. “It’s a real healthy-sized group,” Adams said. Coming up on Dec. 10, the band will play a holiday concert and on Nov. 6, middle school band members will perform with the high school band at half time for the last game of the year. On Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m., the band will perform on the River Walk at Wurstfest. “All four concert bands will play in the holiday concert, which will have a multi-cultural program,” Adam said. “We’ll have traditional Christmas music, also present some compositions from all parts of the world, Africa and Eastern culture.” One piece, titled “Imani,” will feature the students singing, something most band students are unaccustomed to doing for an audience, as well as a great deal of percussion. “It will really showcase the students,” Adam said. “(Singing is) great for ear training. It helps them learn pitch.” Upcoming high school events

Canyon High School Band

Wurstfest, River Walk, Saturday, Nov. 7, 3 p.m.

New Braunfels

High School Band

Wurstfest, River Walk, Sunday,

Nov. 8, 3 p.m.

Smithson Valley

High School Band

Wind Ensemble Veteran’s Concert, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.