Cameron, Texas — For the tenth year in a row, the C.H. Yoe High School marching band is headed to the UIL State Marching Band Contest.

The Yoe band punched its ticket on Saturday, October 24, finishing second at the UIL Class 3A Area D finals. The week before, on October 14, the band earned a Division I superior rating at the Region 8 contest. Ten consecutive trips to state is a streak few programs in Texas can match, and it now runs a full decade. The program's best state finish was second place in 2013; last year, the band placed thirteenth at state.

Wednesday at the Alamodome

State is Wednesday, November 4, at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Class 3A preliminaries run through the day with 25 bands competing, and C.H. Yoe takes the field at 12:30 p.m. (warm-up 11:20 a.m., field entry 12:25 p.m.).

Only the top bands advance. Finalists are announced at 4:30 p.m., and the finals round begins at 7:15 p.m. — so by Wednesday night, Cameron will know where this year's show stands among the best in Texas.

This year's production is titled "Mirror Mirror." The band is directed by Austin Clark, who took over as Cameron ISD's Director of Bands this year after four years as the program's assistant director and percussion director. Assisting with the high school band are Alissa Amaechi, Sarah Vajgert, and David Jenkins.

"These students and directors have put in many, many hours of hard work to make it to the State Marching Championships," Juan Ramirez wrote in a Facebook post last week, thanking Cameron, Cameron ISD, the parents, and the band boosters — "the laborers behind this amazing organization." Ramirez also thanked the show staff, Zack Travis, Zach Santos, and Aaron Tucker, who worked with the band one last time before Wednesday's competition.

Going to San Antonio?

- Community send-off: Wednesday at 6:00 a.m. at C.H. Yoe High School, as the band leaves for San Antonio — everyone is invited to come see them off

- Tickets: $22 for a single session, $38 for a double session

- Parking: Lot B, $20, card only

- Can't make the trip? The contest streams live on the NFHS Network

Cameron ISD is closed Wednesday so students and families can make the trip to support the band. [confirm with Cameron ISD before publishing — (254) 697-3512]

Results to come

Watch the Cameron Community Voice this week for results and photos, and see the full story with pictures in this Sunday's edition of the Voice.

Photos with this story: Yoe band woodwinds performing under the lights; the clarinet line in formation; a saxophonist up close during the show. Photos by Lydia Muniz Photography, courtesy of the C.H. Yoe High School Facebook page.

Go Yoe!