About the Crane Golden Crane Bands
During the fall evenings you will see two things in the skyline of Crane, America. That will either be the stadium lights on at El Ave Stadium downtown or the lights on down at the marching field but you will only hear one thing and that is the sound of the Crane Golden Crane Band.
There is a rich history of the bands at Crane ISD, and it all starts in the fall semester when your fifth grader comes home for the very first time with that little plastic recorder and they start playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and their first performance at the Christmas concert with the middle school and high school bands. Than in the spring semester, you get a letter from music class talking about band and your child is talking about they want to play the drums or the saxophone. In sixth grade, your child is learning about to play their clarinet and learn how to play as a band. They have their first ever band contest in Greenwood and they say, "Mom, I need a new dress!" or "Dad, can I use one of your ties?". Before you know it, you are sitting in the Alamodome in San Antonio seeing your child on the jumbotron at the UIL State Marching Contest.
UIL State Marching Contest
19 State Appearances currently.
Crane HS is tied for 6th most appearances in the State of Texas overall.
Year - Class - Marching Show - Place - Director
2023 - 3A - “Imaginarium" - 10th Finals - Sara Hill
2021 - 3A - “Across the Universe" - 17th Prelims - Daniel Todd
2019 - 3A - “Return of the Samurai” - 9th Finals - Daniel Todd
2017 - 3A - “One Shot” - 15th Prelims - Daniel Todd
2015 - 3A - “Gladiator” - 9th Finals - Daniel Todd
2013 - 2A - “Dreams & Nightmares” - 18th Prelims - Daniel Todd
2011 - 2A - “Mythology” - 9th Finals - Daniel Todd
2009 - 2A - “Code of the Samurai” - 6th Finals - Daniel Todd
2007 - 2A - “Cirque de Soleil: Quidam” - 10th Prelims - Daniel Todd
2005 - 2A - “The Planets” - 4th Finals - Daniel Todd
2003 - 2A - “West Side Story” - 5th Finals - Daniel Todd
1998 - 3A - 7th Finals - Jesse Lotspeich
1996 - 3A - “The Beatles” - Silver Medal Finals - Jesse Lotspeich
1994 - 3A - 5th Finals - Jesse Lotspeich
1989 - 3A - Silver Medal Finals - Scott Mason
1988 - 3A - Silver Medal Finals - Scott Mason
1986 - 3A - Prelims - Scott Mason
1984 - 3A - Prelims - Scott Mason
1983 - 3A - 5th Finals - Scott Mason
UIL Marching Contest
Crane High School has earned a total of 41 years of Division Ones:
1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation Contest
Crane High School has earned a total of 40 years of Division Ones:
1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Division One is the top ranking to earn at UIL Music Contest .
Golden Crane Band (Crane HS) Directors:
Sara Hill (2022 – Present)
Daniel Todd (2001 – 2022)
Jesse Lotspeich (1991 – 2001)
Scott Mason (1983 – 1991)
Crane Assistant Directors:
Brandon Lippert (2024 - Present)
Juan Gonzalez (2023 - Present)
Ryan Chambers (2019 – 2023)
Rebekah Cook (2018 – 2019)
Elaine Truitt (2014 – 2018)
Lisa Martinez (2013 – 2014)
Sara Hill (2010 – 2013)
Alan Gregory (1994 – 2010)
Daniel Todd (1993 - 1994)
Joey Ashbrook
Judy Mason
Crane Middle School Directors:
Ryan Chambers (2023 - 2024)
Russell Dean (2019 – 2023)
Sara Hill (2014 – 2019)
David Cadena (2007 – 2014)
Noe Cisneros (2006 – 2007)
Daniel Todd (2005 – 2006)
Jason Brents (2001 – 2005)
Daniel Todd (1994 – 2001)
Richard Rhynes
Jesse Lotspeich
The Crane Golden Crane Band had held a Sweepstakes tradition of 41 Years in both Marching and Concert and Sight-Reading, and counting.
The Crane Golden Crane Marching Band is the Spirit of El Ave!
TMEA Honor Band:
Crane HS Band - Scott Mason – Class 3A – 1990
Crane MS Band - Daniel Todd – Class C – 1998
UIL State Wind Ensemble Contest Champions:
1987-1988 – Scott Mason, Director
1988-1989 – Scott Mason, Director
1989-1990 – Jesse Lotspeich, Director
ATSSB All-State Musicians:
As of 2023-2024, Crane HS Students have qualified 151 ATSSB All-State Bands Musicians. Crane HS currently has the most ATSSB All-State Bands Musicians since its founding in 1991.
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