SAN ANTONIO – The sounds of music blasting from inside the Alamodome on Friday and Saturday will be coming from high school marching bands from across the state competing in the Bands of America Super Regionals.
There are 10 San Antonio-area bands competing with 53 other bands from around Texas.
The musical competition is considered among the toughest outside University Interscholastic League events.
"This is one of my favorites because you get to be in the Alamodome, the sound is amazing," Rebekah Altenburger, O'Connor High School senior drum majorette, said. "(The music) bounces off the walls, so it makes it like 10 times louder than anticipated. And its just a fun one."
Eric Martin, president and CEO of Music for All, a non-profit educational organization, said that high school bands in Texas are helping set the standard for top-notch performances.
"Texas helps to push the educational envelope in terms of what the caliber and quality of what high school bands can be like across the nation," Martin said.
There are several Super Regionals held across the country. Given the location and atmosphere, San Antonio has become a pretty popular venue.
"The bands themselves have said, 'This is it,' and the Texas Super Regionals is one of those 'This is it' events," Martin said.
The high standards and stiff competition help bring out the best in the bands.
"We are doing really well this year, and I think we are holding our own against those top bands," Altenburger said. "So I think it's exciting to compete against them."
O'Connor High School band director Roland Sandoval said he was pleased with his band's 8-minute themed performance of "Living Sea."
"It was a wonderful performance," Sandoval said. "We have been working all summer long for this opportunity to perform."