Yoakum High School welcomes Victor Posada as band director

The Yoakum High School Band has a new band director. Victor Posada will be entering his 8th year as a band director and his first year with Yoakum High School. 

Before coming to YHS, he was the Director of Bands at Crystal City High School in Crystal City. “During my time at Crystal City, we received four years of Sweepstake Division I rating at both the UIL Region XI Marching Contest and the UIL Region XI Concert and Sight-reading Contest,” Posada said. “We also received caption awards in winds, percussion and color guard. We were Area E Marching Band Finalists in 2024 and 2022. We also had a couple of ensembles and soloist advance to the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest.”

There’s one thing that inspired Posada to become a band director. “I decided to become a band director after going back and forth between nursing and music,” Posada said. “At the end of the day, music was my choice because my goal was to inspire, motivate and push students to push themselves to be their best. It is a great joy when you guide a student to a goal that they thought was unattainable.”

“I decided to come to Yoakum to become a Percussion director again and be a part of an already established program. As they say, fate has other plans for you. Next thing I knew, I am the new Director of Bands. This is a challenge I am ready for and excited to embark with the pride and spirited Bulldog Band.”

Posada’s teaching style includes imparting accountability skills to students. He says it’s essential for students to learn accountability. 

“It is a vital life skill that they acquire through participation in band,” Posada said. “Additionally, I advocate for the ‘happy, not satisfied’ mentality. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of achieving significant goals by accomplishing smaller, incremental objectives. It encourages continuous improvement even after the primary goal has been attained.”

“My favorite part about working with high school students is watching them become hard working musicians. Watching them be able to put on an amazing show that they put together as a team and seeing them prove themselves and others wrong is a great feeling.”

Posada said there are specific goals he hopes to reach for the YHS Band. According to him, they include: 

• Earn a Division 1 at Region XII Marching Contest.

• Being Area Marching Band Finalists.

• Be a UIL 3A State qualifying band.

• Have 15+ students make their Region Band and having 5+ students advance to Area Auditions. Also having 5+ Chamber Ensembles and instrumental soloists receive a Division 1 at the UIL Solo and Ensemble event.

• Create the YHS Winterguard and compete in the TECA Circuit.

• Receive a Division 1 at the UIL Concert and Sightreading event.

• Have students play higher level music than what they performed the year before for concert contest. 

Posada gave some information for the upcoming marching band show that will be put on this fall football season as well as UIL contest. The show is entitled “Mi Corazon.” It captures the fire, passion and romance of Hispanic culture through music, movement and visual storytelling. It will feature music by Luis Fonsi, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Robert and Kristen Lopez, and Ernesto Lecuona.

“The show revolves around the themes of love, longing and intensity represented by roses, hearts and vibrant colors,” Posada said.

Posada said those wanting to support the band this coming season can do the following:

• Join the Band Booster Club: Parents, alumni, and other community members can volunteer their time and skills to assist with various band-related activities such as uniform fittings, chaperoning trips, or coordinating meals.

• Support the Pit Crew: Assist with loading, unloading and moving instruments and props during performances.

• Provide Practical Assistance: Volunteer to help with tasks like uniform care, photography or assisting with props.

• Attend Performances and Events: Showing up to concerts, parades and competitions demonstrates valuable support and boosts band members’ morale.

• Sponsor Meals: The YHS band is always looking for sponsors to provide meals for the band whether for summer band, football games, or contests.

• Financial Donations: For any financial donations, folks can contact YHS Principal Macy McDonald or YISD Superintendent Tom Kelley.

Posada said he’s ready to watch the YHS band be successful by working hard and giving it their all.