Five Tulsa-Area HS Marching Bands Impress At National Competition

A huge welcome home Sunday for five local high schools on the national stage this weekend as several marching bands competed in the Bands of America St. Louis Super Regional. 

And one returned home the champion. 

10/23/2016 Related Story: Pride Of Broken Arrow Marching Bands Wins Super Regional

What a weekend in St. Louis for the students who competed and placed, showing the country what marching band is all about.

"We got back on the bus, we had dinner, we immediately went into finals, and it was just really fun," said Olivia Bowles.

A six-hour ride back to town and the young musicians were not tired. 

"Scary, exciting, invigorating, it was everything," said Jacob Hayslip.

It was everything, including a welcome, fit for a king. 

Quite literally, the Broken Arrow Pride returned from St. Louis as champions of the St. Louis Super Regional marching band competition. 

"I'm really proud of my section, and I'm glad that we got the win with a 94.5," Adriane Baker said. 

Baker is center snare and section leader, and she's cheered on by one of the most supportive families.

"They're so supportive, I love them to death," Baker said.

It's a win music teachers know will spur on the band program, and they said it's the students themselves who pass on tradition and work ethic.

"Our juniors and seniors who continue to come back and be involved with the program, they come back and they give it back to the kids," said Adam Wiencken. 

Broken Arrow took first with Owasso placing third, Union taking fifth, Jenks coming in at 13th and Bixby getting 14th. All five schools made it to the finals. 

"Very proud of them, very excited for them too," said Scott Hillock. 

Another band member said it was an intense experience.

"Dude, it was great, it was really intense there was a lot of people, it was really fun," said Jakob Hayslip.

Hayslip plays clarinet for the Trojans. Sporting a new hat, it's a weekend he won't soon forget. 

"They gave us a standing ovation it was wonderful," Hayslip said. 

An experience that wouldn't be possible without some dedicated parents.

"They did medicine, they did food services, they did props," Hillock said.

"They even wrote on our lunches, inspirational notes to help motivate us, and it's just amazing," Bowles said. 

"It's such a great experience for the kids, they get to learn a lot, they have great band directors and instructors," Baker said. "It's just a wonderful experience for everybody."