Yoakum ISD

YISD hears presentation from band director; gives construction updates

By Clayton Kelley

  • Two students received proclamations for All State Band. Pictured from left to right are Assistant Band Director Cait Kosch, Solo and Ensemble Piano All State winner Gael Castillo, Band Director Mario Morales, and French Horn All State winner Luis Richardson.
    Two students received proclamations for All State Band. Pictured from left to right are Assistant Band Director Cait Kosch, Solo and Ensemble Piano All State winner Gael Castillo, Band Director Mario Morales, and French Horn All State winner Luis Richardson.

    The Yoakum Independent School District heard a presentation on the upcoming marching band show set for the Fall season at the April 14 meeting. Band Director Mario Morales spoke about the show being a Latin theme.

    The show is called “Mi Corazon.”

    “We received all of the costume designs, and the things designed in the theme of the show,” Morales said. “By the end of the show, you’ll see hearts. The theme of the show is ‘fire, passion, and romance of Hispanic culture through music, movement, and visual storytelling.’ It revolves around themes of love, longing, and intensity represented by roses, hearts and vibrant colors.”

    “We were able to get great arrangements that the design team came up with. We came up with the song called ‘Surface Pressure’ from the cartoon ‘Encanto.’ We did another one from the movie ‘Coco’ called ‘Remember Me.’ It’s the most iconic scene that everyone remembers with the  grandma. It wil feature some of our really talented soloists. After that, we’re going to do a pop song called ‘Despacito’ which features ‘Justin Bieber.’ It will have a guitar opening and our flute soloist playing the guitar. We’re really excited for it. It’s been hours and hours of planning.”

    The band just got the sheet music and will start learning the show soon.

    Construction updates were also given at the meeting concerning the Career and Technology Education Building.

    In other business:

    • Enrollment numbers showed that there were 1,443 students. Last year at this time, there were 1,463 students.

    • It was reported that in maintenance and operations, $13.5 million was collected from the tax assessor collector while in interest and sinking, $5.9 million was collected.

    • YISD approved the purchase of a 77-passenger school bus. The last bus that was purchased was in 2022.