In 1988, Conrad Hutchinson Jr., director of bands at Grambling State University, and Richard Johnson, head band director at South Oak Cliff High School, started a fundraiser to buy uniforms for SOC students–unknowingly planting the seeds for a Dallas ISD tradition.
“South Oak Cliff is a very storied school, especially when it comes to the band program,” Le Manuel Williams Jr., SOC director of bands, said. “You can’t have a conversation about the battle of the bands without mentioning South Oak Cliff because they were the trailblazers for this whole movement.”
Williams remembers competing in the Dallas Bands United Battle of the Bands as a student at John Lewis Justice Academy at Oliver Wendell Holmes. Back then, the school was one of the few junior highs that participated in battle of the bands.
This year, showcasing their versatility with high-stepping, musical artistry, and marching drills, close to 1,000 students from across the district will be participating in battle of the bands–a chance to form connections and continue bringing band culture together.
“Typically, we’re overshadowed by football season because Texas is a football state. Bands don’t typically see each other unless we’re playing each other at a football game,” Williams said. “Some of these students formed friendships that span a lifetime. It’s a competition, but it gives the students more opportunities to bond.”
Mariah H., a senior at SOC and French horn and mellophone player, says it’s an intense but friendly competition.
“Outside of us competing with one another, we’re all friends, but when it comes to performances and battle of the bands, we are not buddies. You have to be confident within your playing style and musicianship,” she said.
Highlighting both traditional “show” and corps marching styles, or the integration between both, bands will perform themed marching shows that represent various musical genres ranging from current R&B, hip-hop, and pop, to some of the classics.
Typically, surrounding districts and out-of-town bands are invited to perform. This year, the focus is on Dallas ISD bands.
Carlisa Washington, Visual and Performing Arts Department coordinator, says student musicians and auxiliary/drill team units are the center of Dallas Bands United Battle of the Bands.
“The energy, dedication, and passion they bring as they prepare for friendly competition is the essence of this tradition,” she said. “The winner has bragging rights until the next year.”
Washington holds a personal connection to the event–she led the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center band as assistant band director for 19 years and director of bands for two. Previously, attendance varied, but she’s noticed a more consistent turnout since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was always an exhilarating experience,” she said. “As a team, we took pride in creating innovative shows and always striving to take it to the next level by providing a complete energizing experience highlighting musical complexities, marching, and pageantry from beginning to end. The atmosphere was always invigorating, intense, and inspiring to see the creativity of the participating bands.”
This year’s Dallas Bands United Battle of the Bands will be Saturday morning, Sept. 28, at John Kincaide Stadium with a special performance by Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm. All proceeds benefit participating Dallas ISD marching band programs.
