Man oh Man… That State Finalist Wildcat Band

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One of the greatest aspects of Friday Nights Lights in Sulphur Springs, Texas is no doubt, the band. The beautiful sounds and rhythms of the band as football is being played is what makes Wildcat football so memorable. However, while many Sulphur Springs residents only see the band perform during halftime of Friday night football games, the band is working hard behind the scenes for something that has never been achieved in Sulphur Springs history… State. Last year, the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band made it to Area Finals for the first time in school history, but unfortunately did not advance to the State Marching Band Championship. Little did we know, that was just a steppingstone for what was to come.

As a Sulphur Springs High School alumni, I witnessed first-hand the pride and work ethic that comes with being a Wildcat Marching Band member. I remember pulling into the high school parking lot every summer morning at 7a.m., and there the band was. Practicing. I remember leaving at about 2pm every summer afternoon, and there the band was. Practicing. I remember leaving after school practice to head home every day, and there the band was. Practicing. Practicing for something way bigger than Friday Night Lights. Practicing for State. For Sulphur Springs Wildcat Marching Band history.

Although the end goal for these band students is to compete at the Texas State Marching Band competition, being a member of the Wildcat Band is much more than that. Korey Hankins, a videographer for Chad’s Media who has spent ample time covering this year’s band team including their state competition, noted, “[The band students] know they not only represent themselves, their sections, and their band with pride, but they represent the community of Sulphur Springs and SSISD.” Each performance was more than just playing the right notes in the right rhythm, it was about showcasing the beauty, work ethic, and talent of the town of Sulphur Springs, Texas. 

Spencer Emmert is a well-known individual in Hopkins County. In 2018, Emmert was hired as the Head Band Director for Sulphur Springs ISD after spending some time in the same role at Winnsboro ISD where he and the Winnsboro Marching Band saw much success including being named “Best in Class” various times. Emmert is no stranger to the SSISD, for he spent 12 as a director at Sulphur Springs and was the head director at Sulphur Springs Middle School beginning in 2007 where he led and impacted countless students after leading the program to grow to almost 300 students. Emmert knows what it takes to be successful, but more than that, he wants to inspire students. Emmert knows as a band director, during the performances, it is almost completely out of his hands. However, he’s a master preparation. He is a master at inspiring work ethic. He’s a master at leading. More than anything however, he’s a master at inspiring students to believe in themselves as much as believe in them. With this group, he did just that. With Emmert’s consistent encouragement and constructive feedback, the marching band had no doubt in their mind they could do what has never been done before. 

After being so close the previous year, the students put in more work than ever over the next year to advance Texas UIL State Marching Band Competition. They had a goal. They had a mission. Not only to perform at the Alamo dome for the State Marching Band Competition, but to make the community of Sulphur Springs proud. Well, little did they know how proud the Sulphur Springs would be. On October 29^th, 2022, the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band earned second place during the UIL Area Finals advancing them to the UIL State Marching band Competition for the first time in school history. 10 days later on November 8^th, the Wildcat Band was set to take off to San Antonio, Texas to compete for even more history. Countless supporters including families, friends, Sulphur Springs residents, etc. provided the Wildcat Band with a heartwarming send-off to demonstrate their pride in their hometown band in addition to overwhelming encouragement.

On November 9^th at 10:45am, the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band took the field at the Alamo Dome to compete in the preliminary round in hopes to scoring high enough to advance to the next and final round. The nerves were at an all-time high, but at the same time, calmness bestowed in the students and directors more than ever. The Alamo Dome is one of the largest venues in the state of Texas having a seating capacity of 72,000. However, the students looked at the Preliminary round “just like any other UIL performance but at another venue” according to drum major Jeremy Resendiz. They were in a position where they felt they had nothing to lose according to Tuba player, Ryan Mitchell, a senior who had a lifelong dream of performing at the State Marching Band Competition. “It was a sense of satisfaction with either us making it to finals or just going back to the hotel. It was my senior year and I had made it to my dream.” Before you know it, the Wildcats were marching on the field.

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Not only did the community of Sulphur Springs show their support through participating in a send-off for the students, the Front Porch News Telegram livestreamed the Band’s preliminary round performance that obtain 5.3 thousands views in support of the band with comments from various residents such as, “You’ve made SS very proud!  Thanks for all the hard work” and, “So proud of these kids and directors!” After an incredible performance during the preliminary round, Band Director Spencer Emmert stated, “It couldn’t have gone any better… The kids looked good and sounded good, it was a great day.” In addition, Mr. Emmert expressed his overwhelming appreciation from the community and SSISD staff for the outpouring of love and support of the Wildcat Band. 

After patiently waiting for several hours to hear of their results from the judges, the Wildcat Band performed well enough to hear the announcer say, “The Sulphur Springs High School Marching Band” when announcing who would be advancing to the final round. The announcement left the directors breathless, the band members jumping with joy, and deafening cheers from fans who were in attendance, in addition to those who 352 miles away.  

 It was a surreal feeling for both Mr. Emmert and the students. Being named a finalist was a whole different experience than surpassing the Area round. “Going to State is one thing,” Mitchell expressed, “but being a finalist? Now you’re known.” It’s an accomplishment that many wish they had on their extracurricular activity portfolio from high school, but only so many students achieve that status. It was a joyous feeling that was almost indescribable, however, it wasn’t over. At 9pm, they were set to go back on the field and attempt to perform even better. As impossible as it seemed, Emmert and the other directors had full confidence in their team.

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The Wildcat Marching Band took the field at 9 pm for the final round. Many of the seniors main goal including Mitchell was that the band play to the best of their ability. They knew that if they played up to their full potential, they could continue to make Sulphur Springs by placing in the State Finals. The beautiful attribute of Sulphur Springs that I’ve learned more and more as I’ve gotten older is that the residents support each other no matter the circumstance. While it was a late Wednesday night with several people usually gearing up to hit the sack to wake up early for work or school, most of the community decided to switch up the routine. On the Front Porch News livestream of the Final Round for the Wildcats, more than 6,000 people tuned in displaying their support once again to an even greater degree. That support was truly felt from San Antonio, Texas according to Spencer Emmert who clarified his gratitude of the community after the preliminary round.

After a stellar performance from the Wildcat Marching Band, they placed 4^th in the State of Texas for the 4A division. It was a monumental accomplishment and provides the seniors with satisfying and glorious memory to look back on. Furthermore, while many seniors tend look at their last performance as bittersweet ending, these seniors have a different perspective. Seniors looked at this final performance as more of a life lesson. The experience taught the students that no matter the circumstances, hard work and determination will always pay off in the end. After practicing for countless hours, performing in scorching hot weather or in the freezing cold, “it all paid off in the end. We achieved our goals,” explained Resendiz. Moreover, there was a sense of gratitude from the seniors for their band experience. Being a band member was way more than just simply playing an instrument, it was a life changing encounter. “Music has come to change my life,” according to one of the seniors, “[music] inspires me and takes me to great heights.” 

The community of Sulphur Springs could not be prouder of the band and its director. However, the band, directors, and Sulphur Springs know that this is only the beginning. Here’s to the many more times that thousands will be saying, “Man oh man… that Wildcat Band.”

Submitted by: Grayson McClure

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