Davenport won the 4A State Championship at the UIL State Marching Band Contest on Wednesday, the first state title in the school’s history, after winning 4A prelims too. In 6A, Rouse finished 6th and Cedar Park 9th in the 14-band finals at the Alamodome. Grulla, Andrews, A.C. Jones, Waxahachie and Los Fresnos also marched State. Here are the UIL State Marching Band Contest results for all eight of my bands in 4A and 6A.
4A State: Nov 11
- Davenport HS
Finals: 1st of 10, 4A State Champion
Prelims: 1st of 28
Show: Mix of Selections from Evan’s Catalog - Grulla HS
Prelims: 14th of 28
Show: Mix of Selections from Evan’s Catalog - Andrews HS
Prelims: 20th of 28
Show: Mix of Selections from Evan’s Catalog - A.C. Jones HS
Prelims: 27th of 28
Show: Mix of Selections from Evan’s Catalog
Twenty-eight bands marched 4A prelims on Wednesday and ten came back for finals that night. Davenport won both rounds, and in finals it was ranked 1st by six of the seven judges.
It’s Davenport’s first UIL state marching title. The band made State finals in each of the last four years (2022 through 2025) without winning, so this one was a long time coming.
Grulla, Andrews and A.C. Jones all earned their trips to San Antonio through Area. Making State is the goal for most programs in Texas, and all three got there.
6A State: Nov 9 and 10
- Rouse HS
Finals: 6th of 14
Prelims: 6th of 42
Show: Out Of Print: A World Built From Stories - Cedar Park HS
Finals: 9th of 14
Prelims: 10th of 42
Show: The Heart Within - Waxahachie HS
Prelims: 30th of 42
Show: Get To The Point - Los Fresnos HS
Prelims: 42nd of 42
Show: Short Circuit
Forty-two bands marched 6A prelims on Monday, and fourteen made Tuesday’s finals. Rouse held 6th from prelims to finals, and Cedar Park moved up from 10th to 9th. Both bands made Bands of America San Antonio finals the weekend before, so it’s been a strong two weeks for both programs.
What’s next
That wraps up the 2026 UIL State Marching Band Contest. Between the two weeks, three of my bands won state titles: Argyle in 5A, Mineola in 3A and Davenport in 4A. Bands of America Grand Nationals runs this week in Indianapolis, and I’ll keep posting marching band contest results as they come in.
If your season just wrapped, here’s how I’d run your season debrief.
Already thinking about next fall? Browse the 2026 show catalog, see my full list of marching band shows, or start sketching your own with the Build Your Show tool. When you’re ready to talk, reach out here.
Plan a show that fits the band you’ll actually have in October.
A 65-page fillable workbook for band directors, from the season debrief to a plan you can hand to any arranger. Start with the free sample.
FAQ
How does the UIL State Marching Band Contest work? Bands earn a spot at State through their UIL Area contest. State runs in two weeks at the Alamodome: 1A, 3A and 5A first, then 2A, 4A and 6A. Each conference marches prelims, and the top bands come back for finals.
Why are there no scores in these results? UIL State is judged by ranks. Each judge ranks every band, the ranks are added up, and the lowest total wins. The official results show those ranks and placements, not scores.
Can an adaptable show win a state title? Yes. Davenport won 4A State this year with a mix of selections from my catalog, adjusted to the band before they started learning it, and Mineola did the same in 3A. See how adaptable shows work.
About the author
I’m Evan VanDoren, a composer and arranger based in Austin. I spent nine years as band director at Cedar Park High School, where we won three UIL State Championships, and I now write for Santa Clara Vanguard. My work is published through RWS Music and Alfred Music, and I write adaptable and custom marching band shows for programs across the country.
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