Spring Hill High School at 4A State Finals

Spring Hill High School Band at UIL class 4A state marching band finals. The Spring Hill Band placed 5th at UIL State marching band finals making it the highest ranking a military band has placed in the class 4A division in a long time. NAMMB sends a huge congratulations to students of the Blue Brigade for all the hard work they put in through the semester! Directors: Mr. Randy Kiser- Head Director Mr. Pipak- Assistant Director Ms. Kylberg- Assistant Director Statement from the Spring Hill ISD Superintendent Mr. Steve Snell: "Sixteen years ago, Spring Hill ISD hired a junior high band director and high school assistant named Randy Kiser. A few years later, he became the head director of the Blue Brigade. SHISD could not have realized at the time, that the young man they hired to lead the junior high would some day turn the high school into the model for all other military bands to follow. From day one, he has built a program that has become an institution in East Texas and now the state of Texas is taking notice. Year after year, Mr. Kiser instills a quest for excellence in his students and parents. From the very first day of practice in August until November, the directors, parents, and students work tirelessly to add to the tradition and accomplishments that the community has come to expect. The parents as well work non-stop making a true team of school, students, and parents. Most of us admire from the stands, not realizing the hard work and dedication the band puts into every practice and performance. Most fans do not realize that band directors from other parts of the state come to watch the Blue Brigade practice and look to Mr. Kiser as the model they want to become. Most do not realize the leadership instilled in the students or understand the hours students spend studying in the stands and on the bus so that their grades do not suffer. Most do not realize the band is made up of not just band students but, drill team, cheerleaders, athletes in other sports, and advanced academic students. We sometimes take for granted the performances we see. Most do not see that after marching for a 1st place finish last Saturday at the National Association of Military Marching Bands (NAMMB) competition, the band spent more time talking about how to get better and sharpen their routine than celebrating. It is simply a blue print for how to build a championship program and be successful year after year and it's a model that should be followed in all other aspects of the district. To Mr. Kiser, Mr. Pipak, Ms. Kylberg and the entire Blue Brigade, I say congratulations. You have reached the highest level of success in a system that was built for a different style of marching and you did it without compromising the integrity of the military band style. You simply did it better than anyone else."