Band’s annual Holiday Concert took place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10 in the auditorium. Both the symphonic band, a larger band consisting of many members with different skill sets, and the wind ensemble, a smaller group consisting of more experienced musicians, performed three songs each.

Proud families, friends, and teachers attended the concert to hear winter holiday favorites and a few new pieces. Class of 2024 band alumni Conrad Espinosa traveled from Texas A&M at College Station to see his former bandmates that are still in high school.

“My favorite part of the performance today was seeing my friends, seeing how they improved  since last year, and just overall, seeing all my old buddies again,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa, who played the clarinet during high school, enjoyed the symphonic band’s rendition of Last Christmas the most. But French horn player Allesandra Maza’s favorite song to play was Cowboy Christmas, a new piece featuring classic holiday song melodies and the “clopping” of horses’ hooves.

“I like the features we have in it, and it’s different from what we usually play,” Maza said. “I like the different parts each instrument plays.”

Trumpet player Heather Luna’s favorite song was also Cowboy Christmas because of the fun melodies. She described the process of learning to play the piece.

“It was actually kind of short,” Luna said. “We only had three or four weeks to learn these songs. So it was a little bit challenging, but it was worth it.”

For trumpet player Legend Smith, it’s worth it to hear the band’s performance the next day on a recording of the concert.

“My favorite part of performing is to hear myself play,” Smith said. “To hear how we do and actually replaying the recording back. It sounds amazing.”