Dean Corey Marching Extravaganza

The 37th annual Dean Corey Marching Extravaganza, held Oct 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the UTA Maverick’s stadium, featured Arlington ISD bands competing and preparing for their UIL marching band season.

The band often finds the Dean Corey a great opportunity to prepare for other competitions like UIL.

“When we go to Dean Corey, it’s kind of considered our pre-UIL,” band director Alan Lang said. “We performed the first three parts of our program. We’re working on part four now. Our halftime show at the football games is a continuation of our program practices. They’ve been improving quit a bit.”

Not only is the competition good for practice, but it is also great for uniting the students and bands of the Arlington ISD. At the end of the competition after all bands perform individually, there is a show where all of the groups return to the field to present a grand finale together. This helps schools come closer together and focus on something other than competition.

“The highlight of the show was the end performance,” band member Gordon Oliver.

The band performed a show called The Box. It is a piece with four movements that are all equally unique, but connect to create a beautiful story of light shining through dark clouds.

“Each movement had a different feel,” color guard member Max Smith said.

While it may not be exactly like other competitions the band will be facing, it serves as both practice and a confident kickoff to another new year, leaving many members hopeful for what’s to come.