On Saturday, November 15, 2025, The Woodlands High School Band and Guard competed into the late evening hours, with the last performance starting at 10:45 p.m. By early morning Saturday November 16, the results were announced. The team had placed 5th in the Nation with their show-stopping band show, Hi -Fi.
Donned in fluorescent uniforms; musicians played their hearts out, Color Guard danced and twirled- performing not only for the judges, but their many fans and “superfans” that watched in person and online.
With the official season starting in August, students have been working towards the competition for a little over three months. Putting in around nine hours of practice a week, the band has been busy preparing themselves for not only their regular game commitments, but their various upcoming competitions.
“The preparation for the show was really physically demanding, and I had to find a balance between Color Guard and my schoolwork,” stated Phoebe Zhang, “but in the end, it was worth it because we got to go perform in front of an amazing crowd,” she added.
Their show, Hi- Fi, was inspired by the 60’s bright colors and music, “it was really pop and fun,” according to Maddy Lee, a TWHS Guard member. With it’s bright colors, and captivating music, the show has been described as “fabulous,” and an “absolute blast” by multiple viewers on social media and “fun, unique, [and] bold” by band member Carlyn Smith.
The show was high energy, “every time we would do something, they told us to ‘ham it up,” Lee stated.
The 2025 band competition season started in September on the day of homecoming, where they only attended the preliminary round. As the season progressed, they continued to compete, including: UIL State in San Antonio, placing 5th, BOA Super Regional, placing 4th, and finally BOA Grand Nationals, placing 5th.
After an electric and energetic send off on Tuesday, November 11, the students departed for the competition the following day. The TWHS Band season wrapped up on the bright field of the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, where the BOA Grand Nationals have been held since 2008, according to MusicforAll. The Woodlands band has participated in this competition 13 times, including placing first in 2013, according to the TWHS Band Website.
With nationals being the final run, and a sweet 5th place spot, the 2025 fall season concludes. But for many members, the trophies aren’t what they remember most.
“For me, and I think a lot of people in our band, I think the most important thing is to have a show that is fun and memorable- and I think that is more important than getting first place in Indy,” stated Hannah Glaccum, a freshmen guard member.
For some seniors and juniors, this competition marked the last performance they would see at the Lucas Oil Stadium.
“It feels really sentimental, and I wish I could just go back,” Jess Brisson, a senior guard member stated.
Junior band member Charlotte Stablein shares the same sentiment,“I was pretty emotional considering this was my last performance in Indy; it was quite a way to end off the season!”
For The Woodlands High School Band, 5th is more than a placement, it’s proof of their hard work. More importantly, the competition was an opportunity to share with the world what they love.
