Navarro Independent School District

GERONIMO, TX – October 28, 2025 – The Navarro High School Panther Band has concluded its 2025 marching season, achieving improved levels of excellence and growth with its field show, "Rise." The band delivered superior performances throughout the competitive circuit, culminating in a significant jump in ranking at their highest level of UIL competition.

The 2025 Panther Band featured 81 students; this year’s show titled "Rise" was designed to be both an inspiration to the students and a thrilling spectacle for the audience. The show symbolized overcoming adversity and rising above challenges, reminding students of the power of positivity amidst new instructional strategies and expectations from the new staff. For the audience, the concept showcased music with various climactic moments matched visually with themed props and color guard performers elevating the show.

The season began with strong showings, demonstrating the ensemble’s quality early on.

• Hill Country Marching Festival: 1st Division Rating - 4th Place
• Rough Rider Marching Festival (October 4th): The band earned 2nd place in Class 4A and placed 4th overall out of 23 bands, earning a Unanimous 1st Division Rating.
• Troy Marching Festival (October 8th): The band secured Unanimous 1st Division "Superior" ratings and attended a judge’s clinic in lieu of rankings.

These superior results are based on detailed rubrics used by adjudicators to evaluate both music and visual performance. Bands are judged on musical elements like great sound, intonation, and excellent technique, and visual elements like great precision and uniformity. Bands are also evaluated on their artistry and expression, where the performance should have ups and downs that create emotion for the spectator. A Unanimous 1st Division rating signifies that all three primary judges rated the band with a "1"—the highest score on a scale of 1-5—comparing the performance against the criteria on the detailed rubrics.

The Panther Band carried this superior standard into the crucial UIL contests. At the UIL Region 12 Marching Contest on October 18th, the band once again earned unanimous 1st Division ratings, which qualified them to advance to the UIL Area Marching Band Contest in Corpus Christi.

At the UIL Area E contest, which hosts the top marching programs in the central and south Texas area, the Navarro Panther Band achieved its most notable success, ranking 15th out of 28 superior bands. This final placement represents a seven-place improvement over the previous year, solidifying the band's position as a top-tier program.

Mr. Jason Adam, Director of Fine Arts and Head Band Director, shared his immense pride in the students and the community, "I am extremely pleased with the results achieved by the Navarro Panther Band in just my first four months here. The students have embraced new ideas and continually shown they want to be the best they can be.” He further attributed the season’s success to the collaborative leadership of the Panther Family stating, “ Myself, along with my colleagues, have felt very welcomed by the community, the school district administration, and the band boosters. This support is a vital part of the success that we have achieved so far and will continue to foster in the future. We are also excited about our future growth, given the strong underclassmen and a large 8th grade class planning to continue in the program."

With the competitive marching season complete, the Navarro Panther Band program now transitions its focus to the upcoming concert season, as well as preparing for Region Band Auditions, Solo and Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Winter Guard, and Jazz Band competitions. The community is encouraged to save the date to attend a district-wide Christmas Fine Arts Showcase on December 8.