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Laredo ISD fine-arts programs spotlight: VMT wins at Edinburgh, district to host TMEA choir contest, marching clinics and chess tournaments scheduled
Summary
Laredo ISD’s fine-arts coordinator reported a summer trip to the Edinburgh Fringe where VMT won a festival award, the district will host the TMEA choir contest Sept. 20, marching band clinics and a pre-UIL contest are planned in September–October, and a district chess tournament series begins Sept. 27.
Fred Rodriguez, Laredo ISD fine-arts coordinator, updated trustees Sept. 2 on multiple fine-arts activities, including a VMT theater trip to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, upcoming Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) choir auditions hosted locally, a marching band clinic and pre-UIL marching contest, and a district chess tournament series.
Rodriguez said VMT students took Lord of the Flies to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe over the summer, one of 35 U.S. schools in attendance. "They were one of 35 U.S. schools that attended, and they won the Best of Fringe award," Rodriguez said, describing the production as a theater-in-the-round, highly interactive staging. Rodriguez said 12 students and three VMT teachers participated along with one Lamar theater teacher and a parent chaperone; the company staged the production locally between the 14th and 17th following their return.
On choir competition, Rodriguez said Laredo ISD will host the TMEA choir contest on Sept. 20 at VMT and Nixon to accommodate auditions. He said organizers expect more than 20 schools and roughly 600–700 singers to audition for All-State advancement and that hosting locally reduces travel fatigue for students who previously traveled longer distances.
Marching-band planning includes a district clinic on Sept. 26 (staff development day) with Dr. John Lopez, director of bands at Texas A&M–Kingsville, working with bands on Shirley Field. Ivan Espinosa will work with color guards. Rodriguez said the clinic schedule was arranged so each band is fresh for rehearsals and games. The district will host a pre-UIL marching contest Oct. 4 and a UIL region contest Oct. 18 at the UISD stadium; area prelims/finals for the region are scheduled for Oct. 25 in Mercedes if bands advance.
Rodriguez described the pre-UIL judging lineup and invited trustees to note the combination of retired and active adjudicators: Mike Lipe (retired, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD), David Eckert (retired, New Braunfels High School), Hector Garcia (UTSA), Paul Millett (UTSA percussion instructor) and Jennifer Eckert (TECA color-guard judge).
On chess, Rodriguez said the district will hold themed tournaments starting Sept. 27 (sports jerseys) and continuing Nov. 1 (Halloween), Nov. 17 (pajamas), Dec. 1 (video games/anime) and a final rated-only event later in the season. All tournaments will start at 8 a.m. at the PACK, use five rounds, and awards are expected between about 3:30 and 4 p.m. He said past tournaments have attracted up to 400 students and emphasized efforts to keep rounds punctual so events finish on schedule.
Trustees asked for additional breakdowns (for example, a roster of students who attended the Edinburgh trip); Rodriguez said he could supply requested lists. No formal board action was taken on the presentation.
