Kennedale Wildcat Band

The Kennedale Wildcat Band is the school band organization of Kennedale Independent School District. The Kennedale Wildcat marching band has received 1st division ratings at UIL, they have participated in State Marching Competition in 2006 and in 2008 The head Band director is Erol Oktay, drumline instructor is Bana Estes, assistant Band directors and Junior High School instructors are Melissa Romano and Brian Cupp.

Directors
;Erol Oktay: Erol Oktay is the Head Band director of the Kennedale High School Band and Kennedale Band Program. He instructs The Kenendale Wildcat Marching Band and The Kennedale High School Symphonic Band. He holds a Bachelors Degree in music from the University of North Texas.

;Bana Estes: Bana Estes is the Director of the Kennedale High School Concert band, and Kennedale High School Drumline instructor. He holds a Bachelors Degree in music from Texas Tech.

;Melissa Romano: Melissa Romano is the director of the Kennedale Junior High School Honors Band. She holds a Bachelors Degree in music from the University of North Texas.

;Brian Cupp: Brian Cupp is the director of the Kennedale Junior High School Symphonic Band. He holds a Bachelor of Education Degree in Instrumental Music from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.

Kennedale Wildcat Marching Band
The Kennedale Wildcat Marching Band is the varsity band at KHS, and is directed by Erol Oktay. They rehearse/practice in the Kennedale High School Band Hall, located in the Performing Arts Center, and at the Kennedale High School Wildcat Stadium. They were ranked 17th in 2008 in the State of Texas, 3A Division.

The band performs at Football games, Pep Rallies, many marching festivals, The UIL Marching Contest, Community Events, trips, Recruiting performances, and Parades. Components are Drum Majors, Wind Section, Drum line, Percussion Front Ensemble and Colorguard.

2008 Marching Band Contest Performances

;Paluxy Valley Marching Festival: at Glen Rose High School in Glen Rose, Texas. Kennedale placed 4th in this competition. In preliminaries they were ranked 1st in marching by all of the judges, and 5th, 6th, and 8th in music. Their finals performance earned them the place of 4th, missing 3rd by one point. Kennedale also received the "Best colorguard in class 3A", "Best drum line in class 3A", "Best drum majors in class 3A", and "Best band in class 3A."

;UIL Region 7 Contest: at Glen Rose High School, Glen Rose, Texas. Kennedale took home a 1st division, thus qualifying them for UIL Area contest in Georgetown, Texas.

;UIL Area Contest: at Georgetown High School, Georgetown, Texas. Kennedale ranked 1st of 26 bands, thus qualifying them for State Marching Band Championships in San Antonio, Texas.

;UIL Texas 3A State Championships: at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Kennedale performed during the late morning of November 3rd. They placed 17th of 20 state qualifying bands; this makes Kennedale 17th place of 120-140 3A bands in the State of Texas.

Kennedale Wildcat Band Marching Shows
*2003: "Phantom of the Opera"
*2004: "Magical Mystery Tour: A Beatles Tribute"
**Movement 1: Magical Mystery Tour
**Movement 2: Michelle
**Movement 3: Eleanor Rigby
*2005: "Caravan"
**Movement 1: City of Angels
**Movement 2: As Time Goes By
**Drum Feature:
**Movement 3: Caravan in Tunisia
*2006: "New World Symphony"
**Movement 1: Adagio-Allegro Molto
**Movement 2: Largo
**Movement 3: Allegro con Fuoco
*2007: "Enciende la Fiesta" (video)
**Movement 1: La Suerte de las Tontos
**Movement 2: A New Way Home
**Movement 3: Dindi
*2008: "Serengeti!" (video)
**Movement 1: Sunrise on the Savannah
**Movement 2: African Fire
**Movement 3: Rainfall
**Movement 4: Siyahamba and Celebration

Drum Line
The Kennedale Drum Line is instructed by Bana Estes and rehearses during 1st period class at the KHS Band Hall in the Kennedale High School Performing Arts Center. Instruments include snare drum, bass drum, and quads.

Colorguard
The Kennedale High School Colorguard is instructed by Mrs. Jessica Herol. The Colorguard performs with the band at football games and at competitions. An affiliate of the colorguard is the KHS Winterguard.

Kennedale High School Symphonic Band
The Kennedale High School Symphonic Band is the varsity band of Kennedale High School and is directed by Erol Oktay and has recently had their recording of "Joy Revisited"* ranked 3rd in the state of Texas.

The Symphonic Band is the top performing band on the KHS campus. Admission to this band is by live audition only. Members are expected to be proficient on their instruments and commit to the pursuit of excellence in the band program. This band serves as a representative of the school for many functions throughout the year.

;A.T.S.S.B. All-State Members:
*Ryan Fan: Bb Clarinet (2005)
*Cameron Garland: Percussion (2007)
*Erik Hackett: Bb Clarinet (2008)

;Concert music From 2008:
*Puzsta Mvt. 1,2 & 3
*With Quiet Courage
*Flashing Winds
*Joy Revisited (video)

Kennedale High School Concert Band
The Kennedale High School Concert Band is the non-varsity band at Kennedale High School. It is directed by Bana Estes.

The Concert Band is the second of two concert performance bands on the campus. The Concert Band provides an opportunity for younger and less advanced performers to receive more appropriate instruction based on their needs and abilities. This group competes at contests and competitions.

Kennedale Junior High Honors Band
The Kennedale Junior High Honors Band is directed by Melissa Romano and recently received the sweepstakes award at UIL, for "March of the Irish Guard", "Shenandoah", and "Contempo". At Schitterbahn Soundwaves Music Festival, Metrofest Festival, and UIL, the KJHS Honors Band received all 1st division ratings. This band serves as the varsity band on the KJHS Campus.

Kennedale Junior High Symphonic Band
The Kennedale Junior High Symphonic Band is the non-varsity band of KJHS, and is directed by Brian Cupp. The Band received a 1,2,2 rating in Concert Performance and a 1, 1, 2 rating in sight reading at UIL in 2008. This group serves as the non-varsity group on the KJHS Campus.

Kennedale Beginner Band
The Kennedale Beginner Band is taught by all four of the Kennedale Band Directors. Class takes place at Arthur Intermediate and at Kennedale Junior High School. The purpose of this band is to introduce students to the instrument of their choice. The students will be exposed to music theory and will be taught how to play and operate their instrument. The band competes at Sandy Lake Music Festival, and performs at the Winter and Spring Concerts.

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