Assistant drum major Alex Harmon (second from right) gets into the music during a Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corps rehearsal at Gustafson Stadium. The nationally acclaimed band group finished second in this past weekend’s Drum Corps International Southwestern Championship at the Alamodome. The Rosemont, Ill., band chose Northside Independent School District for their practice facility because Stevens High School’s new assistant band director, Thomas Turpin, is a recent former Cavalier, said NISD Fine Arts Director James Miculka. Also pictured (from left) Andrew Vight, Ali Bandeali, Bo Hoover, Adrian Castillo and Phil Morgan.

James Romero of Las Cruces, N.M., leads a row of baritones.

Taft High School-ex Brandon Winters, now a junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, plays his trumpet.

Justin Heinekamp of Naperville, Ill., leads a row of trumpets during a Cavalier Drum and Bugle Corps rehearsal at Gustafson Stadium. The nationally acclaimed band group finished second in the competition.

Justin Heinenkamp of Naperville, Ill., pauses for a moment as Donnie Hull gives instruction. Photos by Marvin Pfeiffer