AUBREY — The Aubrey High School Chaparral Band emerged as the 2010 Class 2A Honor Band in its first try at the Texas Music Educators Association competition since 1984, school officials said.

DRC/Al Key

Ron Chapman, Aubrey High School band director, talks about stance and positioning with his award-winning band during the first day of band practice at the school Wednesday.

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Band members returning to campus Wednesday for the start of the 2009-10 marching season were surprised with the news during an 8 a.m. briefing led by head band director Ron Chapman. He made the announcement to more than 80 parents, band members, alumni and school district staff.

“To tell you how big this is — this is a state championship,” Chapman told the group. “It’s a huge, huge accomplishment.”

Although still somewhat groggy, the crowd responded to Chapman’s announcement with applause and cheers.

The Aubrey band was officially named the top 2A group Sunday at the association’s state finals in San Antonio. In 1984, the band finished fourth.

Taking the title on the first attempt in more than 25 years is “awesome,” said alumnus Josh Wofford, who was part of the 54-member winning band.

“For the first try to come out and win, that’s just freakin’ fantastic,” he said.

The association named two middle school and three high school programs from five classifications — Classes 1A, 2A, 4A, 2C and 3C — as honor band recipients. As top finishers, the bands are invited to San Antonio from Feb. 10-13 to perform before more than 8,700 music teachers at the association’s convention, said Karen Kneten, the association’s communications manager. The honor band competition determines the state’s premier and exemplary band programs, she said.

“Outside of being ranked in the UIL [University Interscholastic League] contest, this is the highest level of recognition a band can receive,” Kneten said.

Bands compete for the honor award in the spring by submitting up to four concert recordings from the current school year. One of the recordings must be a UIL concert contest performance, while the other three must not be from competitions. The recordings are judged at region and area contests, with top finishers advancing to the state finals.

Finishing runner-up this year to Aubrey for the honor band award was Krum High School.

Krum has been runner-up three times, head band director Carol Turner said. She said she was pleased with her group’s finish. Having Denton County programs finish in the top two spots for the honor band award was exciting for both herself and Chapman, she said.

“We’re very proud of Aubrey. They submitted a beautiful recording,” Turner said. “I was thrilled with our place because there are an awfully lot of good 2A bands in Texas.”

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