McKINNEY, Texas – Two McKinney ISD high school bands – McKinney High and McKinney North – will advanceto the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Area B 4A Marching Competition at Pennington Field in Bedford on Saturday, October 24. Both bands advanced in the competition after earning a Sweepstakes rating at the UIL Region 25 4A/5A Marching Band competition on October 17 at Clark Stadium in Plano.

Sweepstakes is the highest rating awarded in UIL competition. Those bands who receive this designation earn a First Division Rating from all three competition judges. McKinney Boyd High School also received a Sweepstakes rating in the 5A Division, but did not advance in the competition.

“To have both McKinney North High School and McKinney High School advance to Area B competition is a true honor for these two bands and for our district,” said Roy Renzenbrink, Director of Fine Arts for McKinney ISD. “I could not be prouder of both programs.”

Area B competition will consist of the top 4A bands from five UIL regions. The top five bands from this competition will be sent to the UIL Texas State Marching Band competition, which will be held in San Antonio on November 2 and 3 at the Alamo Dome.

“All three band programs have extremely dedicated students, parents and directors and to have all three schools receive Sweepstakes is a tribute to the teamwork it takes in order for our students to be successful,” added Renzenbrink. “It takes teachers with high expectations and students and parents who are willing to meet those expectations for this type of success to occur.”

The McKinney High School Marching Band is under the direction of Ken Ringel, Marcus Hunley and Austin Chappell. For more information about the McKinney High School Marching Band, contact Ken Ringel at 469-742-5856 or by email at kringel@mckinneyisd.net.

The McKinney North High School Marching Band is under the direction of Alan Harkey and Josh Kurzweil. For more information about the McKinney North Band, contact Alan Harkey at 469-742-4493 or by email at aharkey@mckinneyisd.net.

The McKinney Boyd High School Marching Band is under the direction of Joe Nunez, Rylon Guidry, Derek Stoughton and Jason Myers. For more information about the McKinney Boyd Band, contact Joe Nunez at 469-424-5514 or by email at jnunez@mckinneyisd.net.