The Mineola High School band was formally presented its Sudler Shield during its concert last Thursday in Lindale.

The students performed the music they will present at the Texas Music Educators Association annual conference in San Antonio this week as the Class 3A state honor band.

The shield award was recently announced by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation. Since 1987, only 88 such awards have been presented.

According to the presentation, “The Sudler Shield is presented each year to outstanding high school marching bands that have demonstrated the highest standards of musical performance, marching technique, and visual excellence over a period of years. The Shield committee meets annually in Chicago at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic. The 25-member committee consists of mostly university band directors and also some high school band directors who are previous recipients of the Shield. Juror membership hails from all parts of the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. The Sudler Shield committee reviewed and adjudicated video performances and supporting materials of high school marching bands this past December from throughout the United States and internationally.”

Presenter Amanda Drinkwater, fine arts director for Lewisville ISD, said, “Through their various achievements and accomplishments, the Mineola Band has earned a reputation as one of the premier small high school band programs in all of America.”

Mineola is the two-time defending state marching champion in 3A.

The honor band will perform Friday at 4 p.m. in the Lila Cockrell Theater in downtown San Antonio.

Also performing with the all-state bands will be Mineola band members Ellery D’Angelo and Megan Holt.