In sports, the girls' 8th grade basketball team won the Gatesville tournament, the 7th and 8th grade boys' teams in football won district championships, and the 7th grade boys' basketball team went undefeated. The band director has been with HISD for 12 years. When he started at HISD, less than 25 students, including 8th graders, were involved in the program. The band director indicated that approximately 125 of the 280 students in the high school are now active members of the band. HISD's band program has earned the respect and support of students, staff, and parents and the band director is constantly contacted by other districts for advice on how to set up a similar program.
Students have a voice in what music is selected for play.
The director does not aim for trophies nor limit the size of the band to only the very best performers. Instead, the band is all-inclusive and reaches out to students who may not be involved in any other activity. According to several staff members, the director makes a determined effort to attract students to the band program who are not participating in other activities. Parents in focus groups reported that students are involved in the selection of music and are proud to represent their high school in a major trip every three years. One parent observed that children learn more in the band than just playing an instrument.