The La Porte High School Mighty Bulldog Marching Band and Color Guard on Nov. 10 established themselves as one of Texas’s premier ensembles, marking their first appearance at the UIL Band State Championships in 35 years.  

Qualifying for State required the band to earn a Division One rating at Region and finish in the top six at Area contests. Hundreds of bands begin at the region level, where only 38 advance to Area. From those, just six bands per Area move on to State. 

The band is directed by Jason Harvey. Assistant directors are Mark Fennell and Wilmaure Mejos.