Rockwall, TX (October 28, 2025) – Rockwall ISD is proud to announce that both the Rockwall High School Orange Wave Band and the Rockwall-Heath High School Mighty Hawk Band earned Division I ratings at the UIL Area C Marching Band Contest, advancing to the state competition and making district history.
Both bands delivered powerful, show-stopping performances that brought audiences to their feet and earned admiration from the judges and spectators alike.
Earning a coveted spot at the state level is no easy feat. Out of 247 6A marching bands in Texas, only 42 will perform at the UIL State Marching Band Contest preliminaries. The road to state begins at the region level. Bands must earn a Superior Division I rating to advance to Area, which is divided into ten areas. Each Area advances one band for every four bands competing at Area to State. Rockwall High School, Rockwall-Heath High School and twenty-one other bands qualified for the 6A Area C contest, allowing only four to advance to State. Two of the four bands are from Rockwall ISD!
Rockwall High School Heads Back to State After Seven Years
After seven-years, and narrowly missing State qualification by just one placement three times during that period, the Orange Wave is returning to the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Drum majors Chloe deMoville, Lillian Kalinovic, Max Smith, and Landon Sulc are leading the 216-member band to State.
“After qualifying for the UIL State Marching Band Contest in 2018, the Orange Wave has been clawing and scratching its way back over the last seven years,” said Brandon Downs, Rockwall
High School Director of Bands. “The lessons learned about grit, determination, teamwork, and problem-solving, among countless others, will serve these students far beyond their time in high school band in whatever field they choose to enter.”
Rockwall-Heath High School Makes School History
For the first time since the school opened in 2005, the Mighty Hawk Band is advancing to the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Drum majors Keyra Gonzalez, Bailey Lundberg, Angel Noriega-Lorenz, and Sebastian Sanchez are leading the 242-member band to State.
“Our students are typically the first on campus, and the last to leave on an almost daily basis,” said Christopher Loyd, Rockwall-Heath High School Director of Bands. “They are some of the hardest working students in the school, and it is so wonderful to see all their hard work pay off.
This achievement is the result of countless hours of practice and performances, perfecting their show for contest. Since late July, band students have logged well over 100 hours of rehearsal including during summer band camps, class periods, before and after school practice, football games and contest days.
While the musical excellence was remarkable, what stood out just as much was the display of unity and sportsmanship. After the Orange Wave Band performed, the students remained in the stadium to cheer loud and proud for the Mighty Hawk Band – standing, clapping, and supporting every student until the final performer exited the field. Rockwall-Heath has done the same for Rockwall throughout the contest season, reflecting the mutual support that defines the district.
“This history-making performance is a direct reflection of the district’s commitment to excellence in fine arts education,” said Benjamin Sumrak, Director of Fine Arts. “Rockwall ISD looks forward to cheering on both bands as they represent our community at the State competition.”
See the Bands Perform
A community performance will be held on Saturday, November 1 at Wilkerson Sanders Stadium. Orange Wave will perform at 4:00 p.m. and Mighty Hawks Band will perform at 4:20 p.m.
The Orange Wave Band and Mighty Hawks band will take the field in San Antonio on Monday, November 3 at the UIL State Marching Band Contest prelims. Rockwall-Heath will perform at 9:15 a.m. and Rockwall will perform at 11:45 a.m. The competition will be live-streamed here: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/uil/band-competition
Press release submitted by Luci Mouton, Rockwall ISD, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Updated.
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