Burnet High School band rolls on despite challenges

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

BURNET — When the Burnet High School symphonic band took the stage in Bastrop during the University Interscholastic League’s Region 18/26 concert and sight-reading competition April 14, director Jason Jones felt a little out of place with his seat. At stake was an eight-year run of earning the coveted UIL Sweepstakes Award.

“Sitting in the audience, I felt nervous because I wasn’t up there directing,” Jones said. “But I still felt confident because they were in good hands.”

Former BHS band director Mike Lewis was conducting the band. Jones, with his neck in a brace, could only watch and trust in the kids, Lewis and the lessons taught them since the previous summer.

Jones had been out of commission for more than a month since an automobile accident Feb. 27 in West Texas.

“I guess if I had to sum up this year for the band, I’d have to say perseverance,” Jones said.

Last summer, Jones took over the band program, which had already earned eight UIL Sweepstakes Awards in a row and 20 over the past 23 years. As the band was just beginning to start marching practice and rehearsals, tragedy struck.

One of the band’s members, Elijah Benson, died after being shot by another individual.

Despite the loss, the BHS marching band came together and earned a spot in the state marching competition. The band also earned a first division rating for its marching.

Then, in February, Jones suffered a neck injury in an automobile accident that required surgery to fix. He was out of school recovering as the band prepared for the concert and sight-reading competition. Fortunately, former BHS band director Mike Lewis stepped in to help Jones and the band.

“Mike was just incredible through this,” Jones said. “He just told me not to worry, he’d take care of the band.”

But the band had already experienced several changes this year. How would members react to the change of leadership — albeit temporary?

Jones, however, knew members understood the BHS band tradition of excellence and the value of hard work. Even with Lewis on the podium leading the band in Bastrop, the students wowed the judges.

When the competition was done, the BHS symphonic band earned first division ratings in concert performance and sight reading, thus earning their ninth UIL Sweepstakes Award in a row.

“That’s a tremendous accomplishment to earn nine in a row, and then to have won it 21 of the past 24 years, well, that’s just incredible,” Jones said. While the students change from year to year, he pointed out the tradition, standards of excellence and expectations remain high.

“When the kids come into this band, they understand the tradition behind it,” Jones said.

It’s one thing to understand the tradition, it’s another thing to keep it going.

Jones pointed out the students realize it’s not enough to rely on tradition.

“They have to do the work,” he said. “And they do it. They put in the extra hours before school and after school. It’s not just showing up and playing during class. It takes a lot of work to be this successful as a band, and they understand it. They want that success, so they do the work.”

The work paid off, both during marching season and now concert season, with high marks from UIL judges.

“It’s been a tough year at times for the kids, but they’ve persevered,” Jones said. “I really admire them for their perseverance. I can’t say enough about them.”

With the ninth UIL Sweepstakes Award in the trophy case, the BHS band is relaxing a bit — but not too much. The next big event is the spring concert on May 17 at 3 p.m. in the BHS auditorium, 1000 Green Mile.

daniel@thepicayune.com