MR. STEPHENS DISCUSSES HIS CAREER:
(5/18/12)

After a 45 year career as a Music Educator, Mr. Stephens has finally been interviewed about his career and legacy:

MR. STEPHENS' FAREWELL:
(5/7/12)

The three-day celebration is less than two weeks away!! The celebration will kick off on Friday, May 18th, with the Annual Band Banquet at 6pm at Sheraton-Brookhollow. Tickets are $45 for non-current band students and can be purchased online. On Saturday, May 19th, the large-scale tribute will take place featuring performances and words of gratitude from alumni, current band members, professional musicians, local band directors, and other distinguised guests. The concert kicks off at 6pm and will be held in the Waltrip Auditorium. Before the concert starts, there will be a pre-concert reception from 4pm to 5:30pm in the WHS Cafeteria. The following day on Sunday, May 20th, a meet and greet picnic will be held at the American Legion Center on Alba St. Food will be served, music will be played, and a good time will be had by band students, alumni, and others who want to fellowship and pay tribute to Mr. Stephens. The picnic lasts from 12pm to 5pm.

You will not want to miss this celebration for a man who has touched the lives of thousands of individuals during his nearly 50 year career as an educator! Mark your calendars today!!

THE RAM BAND FINDS SUCCESS IN COLORADO:
(5/7/12)

From Wednesday, May 2nd through yesterday, May 6th, the Ram Band was on band trip in Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado. The Ram Band had a very successful, educational, and exciting trip and even won numerous awards at the music festival they performed at. The Combined Concert Band received a 1st Division, and Jazz #1 received a 1st Division and Most Outstanding Band in their class. Health Academy Principal, Cynthia Villalovos had this to say about the bandtrip, "What an accomplishment!!! I’ve heard that it can be more difficult to play a “wind” instrument due to the elevation.  Plus we know that many athletes train there. Congratulations for all your hard work and for continually putting Waltrip on the map!"

Way to go Ram Band!!

RAM BAND HEADED TO COLORADO:
(5/1/12)

From Wednesday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 6th the Ram Band will be travelling to Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado. BAND STUDENTS ARE TO REPORT AT 8AM. Through the past years, this Annual Band Trip has served as a very valuable experience to members of the Waltrip HS band, both musical and educational. Some of the itinerary items on the band’s stay in Colorado includes: Six Flags Elitch Gardens theme park, Air Force Academy, Olympic Village, Garden of the Gods, etc. In addition to visiting these educational sites, the band will also perform in the Elitch Gardens “Music in the Parks” Concert/Jazz Band competition. The band trip will be highly chaperoned by some of our own Band Parents that have cleared a background security check thru HISD. Wish us well as we travel! We hope to have a safe, educational, and fun trip with the Waltrip Ram Band family!! 

UPCOMING EVENTS:
(4/30/12)

• Band Trip - Colorado— Wednesday, May 2, 2012- Sunday, May 6, 2012
• Officer Training - Monday, May 7, 2012 - Monday, May 14, 2012
• Colorguard Training - Monday, May 7, 2012 - Friday, May 11, 2012
• Colorguard Captain Tryouts - Monday, May 14, 2012
• DM Tryouts - Tuesday, May 15, 2012
• Annual Band Banquet - Friday, May 18, 2012 @ Sheraton Hotel, 6pm
• Stephens Retirement Concert — Saturday, May 19, 2012, 6pm

UIL RESULTS (UPDATED):
(4/19/12)

On Thursday April 12th, the Waltrip Symphonic Band competed at the UIL Contest/Sight-Reading Competition in what was Mr. Stephens' final appearance as Head Band Director with the Symphonic Band. The band put on their best performance and received a 2nd Division on-stage, and a 1st in Sight-Reading. The Concert Band will competed on April 19th at the same competition and also received a 2nd Division On-Stage and a 1st Division in Sight-Reading. This is the first time Concert Band has received a 1st Division in Sight-Reading. Go Ram Band!

JAZZ SEASON ENDS WITH A BANG:
(4/17/12)

The Waltrip Jazz Ensemble #1 participated in the 40th Annual Texas Southern University Jazz Festival this past Saturday, April 14, 2012. The band earned 1st Division – Superior Ratings and 1st PLACE OVERALL!!!!! Jazz Ensemble #2 earned 2nd division – Excellent ratings.

Jazz #1’s award was a 1st Place Trophy and the opportunity to be the opening act for the feature concert on that same evening. The evening concert was a huge surprise for the students as the concert’s featured guest artist made his way onto the stage to perform with our students. The special guest artist was none other than the great jazz master, Jon Faddis, one of Dizzy Gillespie’s former trumpet protégés. It was definitely a performance and night to remember. He was even impressed enough with our trumpet section, he requested their presence once again on the stage to perform on his opening song. The students on stage and in the audience were in complete amazement by this once in a lifetime opportunity.

In addition to our band awards, a couple of individuals were recognized for their outstanding musicianship:

• Christina Pena (12) – Most Outstanding Alto Saxophonist of the Day
• Johnny Olivares (12) – Most Outstanding Trumpeter of the Day

Obviously, we are very proud of our jazz program here at Waltrip and this season has been very successful, just like any other. This particular jazz festival was Mr. Stephens’ last jazz competition and the students really came together to put on their best performance for him. This year could not have been topped off any better!!!!

FORMER RAM BAND MEMBER JOINING PHANTOM REGIMENT
(1/10/12)

Former Head Field Captain and Class of 2011 Trumpeter, Harold Sedano has successfully auditioned for the Phantom Regiment Drum Corps and will be joining the group in May. This is a huge accomplishment for Harold, and the Ram Band would like to congratulate him! As with anything else, there are fees attached to this great milestone so he is asking that members of the Ram Band Family help donate to this great cause and help his dream come true.

Harold has set up this website for donations to be made: Visit Here. If you can, please contribute in any way possible.

Once again, congratulations Harold from the Waltrip Ram Band!

JOHNNY OLIVARES MAKES ALL-STATE 4A BAND
(1/9/12)

Congratulations to current Head Field Captain, Johnny Olivares for advancing to the All-State 4A Symphonic Band for the second year in a row!! He is only the second WHS student in recent history to not only advance to State, but achieve it two years in a row. (The other was Justin Barbee in 2000) Johnny will perform in the ensemble at the Texas Music Educator's Association convention held in San Antonio, TX in February! The Ram Band is very proud of Johnny!