FWISD BAND MARCHES HOME WITH PRIDE 

Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth ISD’s Southwest High School band was the first District band to ever go to state level UIL competition. The Raider Band was one of 26 4A finalists from across the state that competed in San Antonio this week. 

Southwest High School Band and Flag Team represented FWISD with an outstanding sequence of songs, tight marching, effective dynamics and complex musical selections all while moving across the Alamodome turf in intricate and captivating patterns. Playing in an enclosed space was a new experience for the Raiders.  

 In a show of joint solidarity, former Southwest principal Laura Williams attended with current principal Yassmin Lee and assistant principal Jack Henson. Many of the directors of Southwest feeder pattern bands also came out to support their former students. After the last band and a break featuring a mesmerizing performance by the Aggies Marching Band, the winners were announced. While not continuing to the final round, the Raider Band made a fine showing by placing 12th in the state.   

"Considering there are hundreds and hundreds of 4A high schools in the state of Texas and that this is the first time an FWISD band has advanced to this level, we are exceedingly proud of the students and directors who represented Fort Worth in San Antonio on Tuesday,” said Chief Academic Officer Mike Sorum, who led the District delegation to San Antonio. “They have come far and this is only the beginning."  

The band director at Southwest is Stacey Dunn and assistant directors are Gaspar Garcia, Jeff DeMaagd, Joshua Bowman (Percussion), and Bethany Longcrier (Colorguard). FWISD Instrumental Music is directed by Christina Walk and Fine Arts are directed by Michael Ryan.  

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