December 2013
Volume 7, Issue 12
JAMES BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL OUTDOOR PERFORMING ENSEMBLE Submitted by Kim Walker
The James Bowie High School Outdoor Performing Ensemble wrapped up their marching season with a 3rd place finish in Finals at the Bands of America Super Regional Competition at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, November 2nd. With only .75 separating the first place finisher, The Woodlands (92.70) from Bowie at third (91.95), the competition was extremely tight among the top bands. Earlier in the season the JBHSOPE took first place at both the Westlake Marching Festival and the BOA Austin Regional competition at Kelly Reaves Stadium in Round Rock. The band also earned caption awards for Outstanding Music and Outstanding Auxiliary (Color Guard) in 5A preliminary competition at Westlake. At BOA Austin the band received caption awards for Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect. Within their BOA class (4A), they placed 1st and were also recognized for Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect. This was the Bowie band’s twelfth appearance at BOA’s San Antonio Super Regional competition. The band has qualified for finals ten out of the twelve times they competed. They have placed either 3rd or 4th in each of their last five appearances at this competition. Since University Interscholastic League (UIL) 5A State Marching Competition is only held every other year, in off years, like this one, the BOA San Antonio Super Regional is the best opportunity for Texas’ top high school bands to face off. The top eight finalists from last year’s State UIL competition were present for this year’s BOA Super Regional. Bowie finished 4th in 2012 State UIL 5A. Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.
The band’s 2013 show is titled “To B or Not to Bee,” with music by Benjamin Britten, Bela Bartok, Samuel Barber, Ludwig van Beethoven, and The Beatles. The music is arranged by Ryan George, with drill by Jeremy Hunt. The “bee hive,” which is a metal dome on wheels used in the production, was designed and constructed by Jeff Hurr. For this “bee” themed production, color guard members wear black and yellow costumes mimicking the look of bumble bees with a classical era flare. There’s even a “Queen Bee” complete with a crown, gossamer wings and a festive flower umbrella. The JBHSOPE is under the direction of Kim Shuttlesworth, with assistance from Ryan Thomas, Stephen Howard and Amy Suggs. Director of the Color Guard is Joey Powell. Bands of American is hosting five Super Regional Marching Band Championships in 2013 in the following cities: St. Louis, MO; Winston-Salem, NC; Atlanta, GA; San Antonio, TX; and Indianapolis, IN. They also sponsor the only national high school marching band competition held annually in Indianapolis. Bowie competed in BOA Grand Nationals in 2012 placing 3rd in Class 4A and 6th Overall. BOA classifies bands by student population, but uses a different grouping than the UIL. Bowie is a 5A school under the UIL classification, and 4A school for BOA. BOA classes are defined as follows: Class 1A, up to 600 students; Class 2A, 601-1225 students; Class 3A, 1226 - 1674 students; and Class 4A, 1675 or more students. The Shady Side - December 2013
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