Garland, TX — For the first time in Garland High School’s history, the Mighty Owl Band has advanced to the UIL State Marching Band Championships. Before this historic season, the program had never reached Area Finals, making this trip to State a landmark accomplishment for the school and the Garland ISD community.
“To say I’m proud of these students would be an understatement,” said Salvador Gallegos, Director of Bands at Garland High School. “Prior to this year, our program had never performed in Area Finals, let alone the UIL State Marching Band Championships. These students have accomplished something that generations of Mighty Owl band members and many band students across the state have dreamed of, and they’ve done it through hard work, perseverance, and an incredible belief in one another.”
This milestone marks the culmination of months of summer practice, early-morning rehearsals, and the hard work of student musicians, staff, and parent supporters. Along their historic run, the band earned straight Superior ratings at the UIL Region 3 contest and straight 1 ratings—the highest possible score—at the UIL Area competition with the show, “Forbidden.”
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY & PRESS INVITATIONS
Media partners are invited to experience the magic of this year’s show, “Forbidden,” and cover this historic milestone.
1. Practice & Game-Day
- Wednesday, October 28, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Where: Garland High School
- Opportunities: Rehearsal b-roll, close-up performance shots, and dedicated 1-on-1 interview time with Director Salvador Gallegos and students
- Thursday, October 29, 6:00 PM (Senior Night Football Game)
- Where: Williams Stadium (510 Stadium Dr., Garland, TX 75040
- Opportunities: Pre-kickoff Garland HS TEA “A”-rated school celebration; halftime full marching band performance; interviews with graduating seniors, parents, and boosters.
2. Community State Send-Off Rally
- Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM
- Where: Williams Stadium (510 Stadium Dr., Garland, TX 75040
- Opportunities: Full band field performance, community send-off, possible interviews with campus and district leaders
“What makes this moment so special isn’t just the history we’ve made, but what it represents,” Gallegos added. “Our students, like many in the DFW metroplex, come from different backgrounds, face different challenges, and have shown that when we come together with a common purpose, extraordinary things are possible. Our motto this season has been ‘WE BELONG HERE TOO,’ and these students have proven exactly that.”
“This achievement belongs to our entire Garland High School community, our families, our staff, our alumni, and everyone who has believed in this program,” Gallegos said. “Our incredible district has shown immense support for the fine arts and opened the doors so that our students could run through them. We aren’t just going to State. We’re showing our students that they are capable of achieving things of all statures.”
