The Aubrey High School Chaparral Band finished its 2009 marching season this week by placing seventh in the UIL Class 2A state marching band championship.

Eighteen bands competed Monday in the University Interscholastic League contest at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

Aubrey performed Sol, a three-movement piece of space- and celestial-themed music.

“We’re very, very pleased with them. It was a long year and they’ve worked very, very hard,” head band director Ron Chapman said by phone as the group traveled home from San Antonio on Tuesday. “It’s been an exceptional season for us. We’ve had incredibly hard music and very challenging drills.”

Making the state finals after enduring 6 a.m. rehearsals showed that the band’s hard work was not in vain, said Zac Goin, band president.

The senior tuba player said that for Aubrey to be named one of the top marching groups in the state was an accomplishment for not only the band but the entire school.

Monday’s showing at state was a return visit for the 79-member Chaparral Band, which competed in the last Class 2A contest in 2007. That year, the band finished ninth overall but did not reach the finals.

School officials said this was the first time the Aubrey band reached the UIL finals; UIL marching band records date back to 1983.

“Every one of us did our best, and it’s wonderful and amazing to make it that far,” said woodwind captain Mary Cummings. “It was a lot of work but an even bigger reward.”

In addition to advancing to state, the Chaparral Band in July learned that it was named the Texas Music Educators Association’s 2010 Class 2A Honor Band. As a designated honor band, the Aubrey concert band has been invited to San Antonio Feb. 10-13 to perform before more than 8,700 music teachers at the association’s annual convention.

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .