Decorated Burnet Band marching into 2026 season
Rather than practicing with their instruments all day long at the beginning of the season, band members often practice in a “set” position to mimic holding their instruments. Staff photos by Caden Senn
The Burnet High School Esprit De Corps is widely known as one of the premiere marching bands in the state of Texas.
For decades, cohorts of brass beasts and woodwind wizards have pushed through the marching season, slotting the Bulldogs into the state marching contest year after year.
In 2020, that success reached near its peak when the Esprit De Corps took bronze at the UIL 4A State Marching Contest.
Now, still chasing the highs of their third-place finish six years ago, the Bulldogs are looking to keep on tempo and return to the state finals this year.
“The band has consistently been a state qualifier for decades,” Head Director Joseph Cox told DailyTrib. “That started back in the Michael Lewis days–he was my band director–and it’s really just been about continuing and building on that legacy.”
Though qualifying for the state competition has become commonplace for the band, the Bulldogs have not made it to the state finals since 2020, falling just shy of a berth in prelims each year. Part of the reason, Director Cox said, has been COVID’s lasting effects on band members.
“We’re still kind of rebuilding from COVID,” he said. “People don’t think about it much anymore, but it’s kind of in the middle of our high school program. It affected our numbers, and a lot of the kids involved just didn’t get to have that good development as a beginner. So, for us, a successful year is just going out and really meeting our potential.”
Many young marchers reflect the director’s sentiments, understanding that a finals appearance is something that is built one step at a time. Band president – also a drum major and the flute section leader – Sarah Rose Smith-Perez told DailyTrib that she too is eyeing the finals.
“Our end goal is always to make the finals,” she said. “But I feel like we need to start from the ground up, and get those stepping stones first. Get ones at region, make area finals, and hopefully make state finals this year. Just stand on our standards to reach our goals.”
Smith-Perez’s fellow drum major and saxophone section leader, Korben Ribera, has found pride in being a part of the stellar program, but also has a desire to help lead the band back to state finals.
“Being able to compete on the state level consistently each year is not something that many other programs can do, and it’s cool to be a part of that and to be leading it,” he said. “But I really want to make state finals this year and I think we have a good shot at it.”
As Smith-Perez said, reaching the state finals is a step-by-step process, often beginning at the crack of dawn in the middle of students’ coveted summer break to lace up sneakers, fill up gallon-sized water bottles, and brave the heatwaves at summer band camp.
Beyond serving as the first of many checkpoints leading to state, Director Cox told DailyTrib that band camp teaches students invaluable lessons and develops real-world skills in a safe and fun environment.
“I believe that band is a microcosm of real life,” he said. “These kids get to come out here and make mistakes, learn how to manage their time, learn how to be a leader, or learn how to be a follower. It’s really about the opportunity to help these kids learn life skills and develop into great citizens.”
Be sure to follow along with the Burnet Esprit De Corps season by attending one of the many football games or competitions throughout the end of the year, or by following their Facebook page here.