Chris Brannan admitted, “I had been keeping my eye on Mineola High School for quite some time.” In addition to producing quality music, Mineola had always caught his attention for the potential it represented. 

In 2013 the opportunity to take the reins as music director at Mineola schools presented itself, and Brannan jumped at the chance to become a Yellowjacket. 

A shared vision with then-superintendent Howard Fuller began a transformation within the music department. Now starting his eighth year leading the Sound of the Swarm, Brannan’s program has captured the title as the best 3A band in Texas.

That is not conjecture, but fact.

The Mineola High School band won the 2017 and the 2019 Marching Band Championships and this past school year captured the 2020 Concert Band Championship. In the incredibly-competitive field of scholastic music, Brannan’s charges have accrued the maximum number of accolades over a four-year span of time. (The UIL state marching band contest is held every other year largely due to logistic requirements. Hence, the championships in 2017 and 2019 represent back-to-back championships.)

Brannan’s comments about this transformation are telling. “We set out to build every facet of a successful organization,” he stated, “from timing, resources, scheduling, instruments and competition.”

However, he related that it was the quality of the young people who would join the music department over this span which made history.

“The talent and commitment was there all the time,” he admitted. “We just needed to guide and empower them.”

There-in was the key to Mineola’s success. 

In addition to a drum major, there are eight captains designated within the 110-man band. Those captains exercise authority over and responsibility for the section leaders and individual musicians within the band. 

According to Brannan, they are empowered to exercise leadership. “That is the biggest thing,” he simply stated.

Evidence of this was at hand on the Monday morning in June when this interview was conducted. Three Yellowjackets, drum major Maddie Tucker and brass captains Gabby Wolf and Ali Jordan were in an empty classroom working on their music, while in the cafeteria the 24-member percussion section was working with volunteer directors from the area. 

Tucker, Wolf and Jordan noted strikingly similar perspectives on the Sound of the Swarm. They shared: “There are so many opportunities to learn and to exercise leadership under Mr. Brannan. Here we can realize the fruits of our hard work. He puts trust in us to actually lead the band.”  

This type of change does not just happen without creating a culture of success and building an environment in which individuals and small teams – like a brass section – can excel.

Brannan reflected on his program’s initial success in 2013.

“In addition to our high school band, we had a junior high band at that time,” he explained, “but they did not participate in UIL competitions. Once a green light was given for the junior high band to compete, they began a run of eight years as winners in both concert and sight-reading.”

The immediate success of the junior high band in his initial year set the tone for the whole department. “Success breeds success,” Brannan noted. 

In addition to music classes in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, the school now offers a jazz ensemble and a class in music theory.

“Today we have over 300 kids in the music department at Mineola schools,” Brannan explained. 

A native of Paris and graduate of North Lamar High School, Brannan majored in music at then-East Texas State University in Commerce. Following seven years – three as head director – teaching and directing at Clarksville High School, Brannan directed the Queen City High School band for 11 years.  That stint saw Queen City capture three state marching titles and two concert titles.  

Brannan credits his long-time mentor Randy Jones for the success he has realized in his chosen field. Jones was Brannan’s music director at North Lamar High School. Jones continues his long, remarkable teaching career at North Lamar today.

There have been many changes in marching bands over the past 27 years. Brannan has embraced the chorus variety of marching band halftime performances.  

To call what the Sound of the Swarm does at halftime of Mineola football games a performance does not do it justice. What the band does at half time is a full-blown multi-sensorial experience.

The planning for such an extravaganza starts about one year in advance. Brannan advised that the scope of this year’s production, titled “Home Town,” was sketched out in November. The complete musical score, which is done by a professional composer/arranger, was received in April. 

The Swarm devoured the score in the final two months of the school year, as planning for the music, visuals, drill team, marching routine, dance, vocals, timing and pageantry commenced in earnest. The routine will be of such complexity that it will be well into football season before the complete program will be performed. 

To assist in building this experience, Brannan relies heavily on his three able assistants: Austin Brannon, Heather Chitty and Dago Gonzalez. Of course the musicians in the band provide amazing input to the shows as well. 

Home Town will be upbeat, positive and connect with everyone who enjoys living in a small town. Brannan is especially looking forward to producing this show as it reflects his own feelings toward raising a family in a small town.

“My wife, Monica, and I have raised four kids in Mineola, and we love this community,” he stated. “At the end of this performance we want people to be smiling and humming the tunes,” he added.

In an advance disclosure, Brannan advised that a vocal soloist will be part of this year’s performance as well. 

With a culture of success and empowerment, the Sound of the Swarm will certainly benefit from the continued investment of Mineola schools in the music department. This fall, the school will have a brand new band hall complete with practice rooms, storage and offices, to accommodate the large band. The old band hall will be thoroughly renovated and returned to the department for future service.

“It is an investment in the kids,” Brannan offered, as he described the new home of the Swarm.