SHISD Mid-Week Message
Promoting Great Things in a Great School District
The Model for Success
Most of us admire from the stands, not realizing the hard work and dedication the band puts into every practice and performance. Most fans do not realize that band directors from other parts of the state come to watch the Blue Brigade practice and look to Mr. Kiser as the model they want to become. Most do not realize the leadership instilled in the students or understand the hours students spend studying in the stands and on the bus so that their grades do not suffer. Most do not realize the band is made up of not just band students but, drill team, cheerleaders, athletes in other sports, and advanced academic students.
We sometimes take for granted the performances we see. Most do not see that after marching for a 1st place finish last Saturday at the National Association of Military Marching Bands (NAMMB) competition, the band spent more time talking about how to get better and sharpen their routine than celebrating. It is simply a blue print for how to build a championship program and be successful year after year and it's a model that should be followed in all other aspects of the district.
To Mr. Kiser, Mr. Pipak, Ms. Kylberg and the entire Blue Brigade, I say congratulations. You have reached the highest level of success in a system that was built for a different style of marching and you did it without compromising the integrity of the military band style. You simply did it better than anyone else.
The Blue Brigade has made Panther Nation very proud. ~ Steve Snell, Superintendent
Some quick highlights:
- SHISD finished #1 in the National Association of Military Marching Bands (NAMMB) competition on November 5, 2016 (different than state)
- 179 bands marched, 25 made the state competition, 10 made the finals
- SHISD made the finals for the first time in school history
- SHISD finished #5 overall in the UIL 4A State Marching Band Competition
- SHISD is the #1 Ranked Military Marching Band in the State of Texas
Here are some parent and student comments:
- I don't know if we will win it all but I can tell you Spring Hill band is the talk of the competition. I've had other people in the elevators, bathrooms, while walking around stop me and say how good that was and they ALL say that's a real marching band. They say that's how they grew up playing and listening to. Whether or not we come out on top, people all over Texas are talking about the Blue Brigade!!! ~ Mr. McFatridge
- These students, band directors and co directors, sponsors, parents, brothers and sisters have earned the right to be heard and being the top Military Marching Band in the 4A Division in the State of Texas along with Top 5 ranking among all bands needs to be recognized. The hard work and dedication that multiple upon multiple people have put into this program should be recognized. Impeccable performances all year Blue Brigade the community is standing tall thanks to you. - Chris Shelton
- Thank you for molding these kids to be the very best! They have great respect for you all & towards each other! They are a "family"!
Dinner at Gristmill After Rain Soaked Practice
Mr. Kiser and the Drum Majors
Blue Brigade in Action
Dinner at Mi Tierra
Quick Instructions
The Team that makes it all happen
Thanks to Official Band Photographer Mrs. Cobb
- You are simply Awesome. Thank You! - Kristi Seymore
- Simply amazing...you do a fantastic job, and your love of it shows in each picture you take! Thank you so much for capturing all of their emotions perfectly - K. Linthicum
- Mrs. Cobb, thank you for everything you do!!The best thing to do after every band event is to go through the countless amount of photos that you take. We appreciate it more than anything. - J. Galeas
- Is it weird for me to tell Jeanette Cobb that I love her?! Jeanette, you have documented so well the story of our kids' band journey & I cannot throw enough 'Thank you's' in your direction for doing it and for so readily sharing your work with us. You rock, lady. ~ P. Moore
- Jeanette - you are awesome. Period. You do such a great job documenting every moment possible and it is much appreciated. I love seeing the "behind the scenes" pictures and I look through every single picture looking for the kids. Thank you so much!!!
- Big thank you to Jeanette Cobb for all the awesome pictures of our kids ❤️ you were able to capture such exciting moments thank you!! - M. Simpson
SH State Band Trip Experience Video
Spring Hill ISD
Email: superintendent@shisd.net
Website: www.shisd.net
Location: 3101 Spring Hill Road, Longview, TX, United States
Phone: 903-759-4404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spring.hillisd?ref=hl
Twitter: @s_snell