MPHS band members earn UIL State medals Solo and Ensemble contest

• MPHS Goin’ Gold Band UIL State medalists (L to R) Luke Thurman, Aaron Waldrep, Pedro Castillo, Armando Molina, Angel Farias, Jesus Mata, Oscar Castellanos, Bruno DeLeon. Not pictured: Grace Zittel COURTESY PHOTO

Nine Mount Pleasant High School Goin’ Gold Band members earned state medals at the UIL State Solo and Ensemble contest held in and around the Austin area on May 25-27.

Two MPHS ensembles earned UIL state gold medals, the highest rating given by the judges. The percussion ensemble of Aaron Waldrop, Pedro Castillo, Armando Molina, and Grace Zittel earned a state gold medal for their performance of “Upbeat Suite”. The baritone quartet of Angel Farias, Jesus Mata, Oscar Castellanos, and Bruno DeLeon earned a state gold medal for their performance of “Three Equali”. And Luke Thurman earned a state silver medal for his percussion solo, “Rain Dance”.

The Goin’ Gold Band will now turn its attention to preparations for their 2024 halftime show, “Diamonds are Forever”. The MPISD band program is under the direction of Dr. Theodus Luckett III, Karen Luckett, Jamey Sterrett, Brian Bass, Alicia Hargett, and Sheri Sullivan.