What Oak High School: Continuing The Tradition of Military Marching

Students from White Oak High School attended the UIL State Marching Band competition in November 2019 as the only military marching band at the event. Military marching bands have diminished in popularity compared to corps marching bands – who take the field with props, themed choreography and elaborate attire – making military bands the black sheep of marching band competitions. Despite the odds stacked against them, White Oak made finals, then placed fourth in the competition for 3A schools. For many of the students from the small East Texas school, it was their first time traveling to a big city. The day culminated in excitement, tears and a bittersweet success, as changes to U-I-L’s judging rubric will make it virtually impossible for military bands to compete in the same competition in future years.

Photos by Julia Reihs
Audio mix by Alexa Hart
For the Texas Standard

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