Dr. William Owens of Fort Worth (shown second from left with Olney ISD band co-directors Marilyn and Rodney Bennett) was the guest conductor, composer, and clinician for each Band class on March 19. Dr. Owens worked with OHS musicians on “To Sail the Ma

OHS Band Wins District Sweepstakes

The Olney High School Band took part in the 2026 UIL Region 7 North Zone Concert and Sightreading Contest at Legacy High School in Wichita Falls Wednesday, April 1, and earned Division 1 ratings to win the Sweepstakes for the school year.

The contest consisted of a concert performance of three songs and a sight-reading portion. The songs performed in concert were “Alamo March” and “Reflections,” arranged by Swearingen, and “To Sail the Majestic Seas” by Owens.

The performance of these songs scored Olney a first division. The sight-reading competition, where the band performed a song they had little time to rehearse for judges, also received a first division score, meaning the band won sweepstakes. With this, the band received a plaque for their scores.