The Huntsville High School Hornet Military Marching Band embarks on the road to a third straight Sweepstakes award Tuesday.

The 128-member band will march in the Region 9 UIL contest at 4:15 p.m. at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Conroe with sights set on earning first division ratings.

A top rating would put the band in line for a third consecutive award, providing it achieves first division ratings in April at the concert and sightreading contests.

Earning a third straight Sweepstakes award would be a record accomplishment for the band, especially since the award won in 2008 was the first in almost 25 years.

Band director Nick Luggerio and assistant director John Green have accomplished what no other director has in more than 20 years.

There also has been an increase in the number of high school band students, climbing from 120 in 2007 to 160 in 2009.

Green said in August that he believes much of the success the Hornet marching band has experienced can be attributed to what members learned in the lower grades before reaching the high school level.

“It’s a good year numbers wise,” Green said. “I think that’s a credit to our intermediate and middle school teachers as well.”

It takes hours of practice inside the band hall as well as on the make-shift field in the high school parking lot to achieve their goals and performing to the best of their ability.

“They have improved throughout the year and performed with confidence and a high level of musicality,” Luggerio said after the band earned the Sweepstakes award in April 2009. “The judges’ comments focused on higher level musical concepts that this group is now establishing. 

“We are very proud of their developing skills and the future of the program.”

The band started practicing the first week in August and practiced from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day until school began.

Before August was finished, members were rehearsing what they will present at the UIL marching contest in October.

They continuing refining their presentation during halftime ceremonies of Huntville Hornet football games in September and October and during practice sessions after school where Luggerio demands perfection to the very inch of completing a march.

“I expect them to continue working to the level we have achieved in the past,” Luggerio said in early August. “I expect them to continue challenging themselves.”

Band members should receive the support and backing of classmates and faculty members because of what they have achieved the past two years and what they will continue to accomplish.

With the enthusiasm displayed by band members, their desire to achieve their goals, team work and self-discipline, they are certain to earn a first division rating Tuesday — the first step toward claiming a third straight Sweepstakes award.