By NATALIE BRINK,  CLAIRE LAWRENCE 

Vandegrift Voice

The John Philip Sousa Foundation awarded the Vandegrift band and Vision Dance Company the 2019 Sudler Shield. The award recognizes high school marching bands that meet the foundation’s international standards of excellence.

“It was a shock,” snare captain Israel Ramirez said. “It’s really difficult what the directors asked of us, and people who have four years of experience doing what we did, people who had two months of experience all worked toward the same goal. The fact that we could get rewarded was really important to me.”

Band directors had to submit a DVD of a performance from the 2019 marching season and a resume. This is the first year the band has received this award, and only two bands are chosen a year. 

“The Sudler Shield is an International Award Recognizing High School and International Marching Bands of World Class Excellence… and is quite a large honor for our students,” said Mike Howard, VHS director of bands. Later this spring, the JPS Foundation will be coming to a concert to honor the Vipers.

Students found out about receiving the award during their band class.

“It was really cool to watch people’s reactions,” Ramirez said. “They’re just excited to be that program everybody can look to as a model.”

Band started in 2011 with around 40 members, but has since grown to more than 420 members. It is the third Leander ISD band to win the Sudler Shield, along with Cedar Park in 2006 and Vista Ridge in 2018.

“It’s important because we’re a new school,” trumpet player Andrew Erdman said. 

“Earning something that prestigious this early, becoming this relevant, is super important and shows we are actually on the scene, trying to compete. It’s really big for us.”

In the fall, the band won Grand Nationals in Indianapolis with a 97.175, after placing second at San Antonio Regionals. It was the first time the band went to Grand Nationals.

“No one had performed in Indianapolis, and for us to go up there and win our first time going, it was insane,” Erdman said. 

Ramirez said this year has statistically been the most successful season for the Viper band.

“I think this year [band] did a really good job of taking everything we’ve done in the last three years and combined it into one production we could put on for a national audience,” Ramirez said. 

Vandegrift band performing “Aria Queen of the Night” during the 2019 competition. Submitted photo