Johnson band earns top honors in Houston competitions

The Johnson High School marching band has traveled to Houston, Texas the last two weekends to compete, and taken top honors at each contest.

On Oct. 8, the band competed at the Bands of America (BOA) Houston Regional against 27 bands from across the state and deep south. Johnson was selected as a finalist and advanced to the evening show, alongside of nine other bands, eight of whom have been finalists at the Bands of America Grand Nationals Competition in prior years. Johnson placed sixth overall at the contest, the highest finish at a BOA Regional in the school's history, and ranked first amongst the other NEISD bands competing at the show.

Returning to Houston again this last weekend, on Oct. 15, the Johnson Band competed at The Woodlands High School LONESTAR PREVIEW Contest. Again, 27 Bands, mostly from the Houston, TX area, competed and the Johnson band took home the Gold, placing first in the finals competition, and bringing home awards for Best Music and Best Percussion. Many of the bands at LONESTAR are perennial Bands of America Regional Finalists, and the Johnson Band placed at the top of the pack for the first time in the 2011 season.

Johnson will compete this coming weekend, Oct. 22, in the UIL Region 12 Marching Competition at Judson High School. In addition, the band will compete at the Bands of America San Antonio Super Regional on November 4 and 5 at the Alamo Dome.

Finally, from November 9 - 13, the Johnson Band will head north to Indianapolis, Indiana for the school's first trip ever to the Bands of America Grand National Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"NEISD Bands have a rich heritage of success at Grand Nationals, and the 2011 Johnson Band looks forward to continuing this tradition of excellence in its first time competing on the national stage," said Jarrett Lipman, Johnson band director.

Posted on October 20, 2011