Wildcat band wraps another title

The Clovis High School Wildcat Marching Band won another championship on Saturday – its 11th straight title at the prestigious Zia Marching Fiesta in Albuquerque.

For decades, the Zia competition was considered the unofficial state championship for marching bands since most of the state's top bands competed there along with top bands from Colorado and elsewhere.

This year, CHS hopes to score the official state title in addition to its unofficial crown.

"Now that Zia is finished we have our eyes set on that next contest," said first-year Band Director Daniel Perez.

That next contest is Saturday at the inaugural New Mexico Activities Association State Marching Contest in Rio Rancho.

"I definitely feel that the NMAA state championship is going to hold more weight as it's something that is recognized across all activities and athletics. I think it is super cool that we now get to be a part of that and have the opportunity to earn a state recognized trophy," Perez said.

But first, the Wildcat band celebrates another Zia title.

In addition to the grand championship, Perez reported the band also won awards for:

• Best Music Performance

• Best Visual Performance

• Best General Effect

• Best Percussion

A news release from Clovis Municipal Schools described the Zia Marching Fiesta as "one of the most prestigious marching band events in the Southwest."

The release noted the Wildcat band was awarded best band in class 5A and it beat out 21 other New Mexico high schools in the competition for the top award.

Perez said he's been feeling the weight of the Clovis band's historical success.

"There was definitely a sense of pressure and expectation from the community, but also some that I placed on myself because I know how important it is to the kids and the community," Perez said.

Perez said he believes the band's performance at the Zia competition was its best this year.

"Of course there are always little details to fix and things to look at as we prepare for the next contest. That's the cool thing about marching band because it's ever evolving and growing," Perez said.

He added, "I believe one of those strings of the band this year is their level of musicianship and musicality. That is something that all of the judges to this point have commented on and mentioned in a positive manner."

The Clovis music makers have been at the top of all their competitions so far this marching season.

At the Oct. 1 Green & Silver Classic at Eastern New Mexico University, the band was one of four 5A schools competing. Clovis beat out Hobbs, Carlsbad and Roswell high schools to win six awards including Best Overall Band.

At the Tumbleweed Classic competition Oct. 8 in Denver City, Texas, the band also picked up a number of top awards including Grand Champion.