2020-2021

First Ever VIRTUAL SUMMER BAND

July 23-August 14 (Monday thru Friday)

8:00 full band/team building

8:30 Sectionals

10:00  Mini Sectional I

10:45  Mini Sectional 2

12:15  Mini Sectional 3

1:00 Mini Sectional 4

2019-2020

UIL Solo/Ensemble Band

Soloists earning a FIRST DIVISION:  freshmanFrank Alvarado, tuba; senior Jillian Delgado, timpani; freshman Madison Galvan, marimba; freshman Cristal Ibarra, marimba; senior Angelina Ledesma, marimba; sophomore Juan Medina, bari sax; freshman Jennifer Ortega, snare drum; sophomore Rudy Pedraza, snare drum; and senior Ariana Urbina, snare drum. 

The FIRST DIVISION soloists who will ADVANCE to the STATE competition are: junior Damien Alvarado, trumpet; sophomore April Avalos, marimba; senior Gia Granados, timpani; junior Noah Longoria, trumpet; senior Marissa Loya, timpani; junior J.J. Martell, timpani; freshman Kody Ochoa, marimba; junior Ramsey Ramirez, vibraphone; sophomore Mikayla Rodriguez, marimba; senior Jeffrey Serna, multiple percussion; junior Aiden Ybarra, euphonium; sophomore Ricardo Balvanera, trombone; and senior Jose Vasquez, trombone.  

The following nine ensembles earned a First Division rating and will advance to the state level:

●Trumpet Trio: Freshmen Jared Abrego, Jacob Garibay and Gilbert Moya

• Saxophone Quartet: Senior Raul Cisneros, senior Antonio Gonzales, sophomore Juan Medina and senior John Pena

● Woodwind Quintet: Senior Norma Barrientos, senior Jose Lopez, freshman Gabriel Mireles, senior Yirsy Rodriguez and sophomore Alan Trevino

● Percussion Sextet: Junior Oscar Cantu, senior Jillian Delgado, junior John Gracia, sophomore Rudy Pedraza, senior Jeffrey Serna and senior Ariana Urbina

● Percussion Septet: Junior Damien Alvarado, sophomore April Avalos, senior Angelina Ledesma, senior Michael Medina, freshman Alyzae Morales, freshman Kody Ochoa and junior Ramsey Ramirez

• Percussion Octet: Senior Gia Granados, freshman Gaby Herrera, freshman Cristal Ibarra, senior Marissa Loya, sophomore J.J. Martell, freshman Jennifer Ortega, senior Jenna Rivas and sophomore Mikayla Rodriguez

• Saxophone Trio:  sophomore Matthew Ayala, sophomore Eulalia Medrano, and Senior Liberty Ybarra.

• Trombone Trio:  sophomore Mario Bustamante, senior Tyler Galvan, and senior Jose Vasquez

• Tuba/Euphonium Quartet:  freshman Frank Alvarado, senior Juan Martell, junior Stephanie Moreno, and junior Aiden Ybarra.

Percussion Medium also earned a First Division rating, and the ensemble comprised the following 22 students: junior Damien Alvarado, sophomore April Avalos, junior Oscar Cantu, senior Jillian Delgado, freshman Madison Galvan, junior John Gracia, senior Gia Granados, freshman Gaby Herrera, freshman Cristal Ibarra, senior Angelina Ledesma,senior Marissa Loya, sophomore J.J. Martell, senior Michael Medina, freshman Alyzae Morales, freshman Kody Ochoa, freshman Jennifer Ortega, sophomore Rudy Pedraza, junior Ramsey Ramirez, senior Jenna Rivas, freshman Mikayla Rodriguez, senior Jefferey Serna and senior Ariana Urbina.

UIL Ensemble Mariachi

The Mercedes High School mariachi group earned a First Division (superior) rating at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Mariachi Ensemble competition on Feb. 1. Now the 11-person ensemble will have the honor of performing at the UIL State Mariachi Festival Feb. 21-22 at the Edinburg Performing Arts Center.

The MHS Mariachi Ensemble received the top rating for its flawless rendition of “La Cecilia” and “El Pitayero.” The students are: junior Josiah Noriega, junior Alyssa Villarreal, junior Julianne Rincon, junior Sophia Rios, junior Wendy Ramos, sophomore Annette Tangima, freshman LariAne Hernandez, junior Jonathan Cabrera, sophomore Jonathan Morales, sophomore Raul Ramirez and sophomore Nicholas Yanez.

UIL Solo/Ensemble Orchestra

Jazlyn Colunga, Violin, First Division

Alaina Garcia, Violin, First Division, Advances to State

Jose Rubio, First Division, Advances to State

TMEA Honor Band

Norma Barrientos, Bassoon

Noah Longoria, Trumpet

Raul Cisneros, Tenor Saxophone

Jose Vasquez III, Trombone 

Mighty Tiger Marching Band

77th Annual Pigskin Jubilee.... FIRST DIVISION

ADVANCES to AREA contest!

Crossroads Band Festival, Calalen, TX.... 3rd Place in 5A Band Division

2018-2019

Ramsey Ramirez, UIL Outstanding Performer... awarded at UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest

Mercedes HS Wind Ensemble (Varsity Band).... UIL Sweepstakes Award
First Division rating for both Concert & Sight Reading performances
Sgt. Chacon MS Varsity Band.....Sight Reading, First Division
Sgt. Harrell MS Varsity Band....Sight Reading, First Division

HS Winter Guard... 8th Place for TECA Winter Guard Contest
Congrats!  First time the group has surpassed the 70 point mark for a contest!!
​Placed in the Top 10 of the contest out of 16 groups!

Harrell Winter Guard.... FIRST PLACE for TECA Winter Guard Contest
Debbie Lara, Instructor

Varsity Orchestra UIL Concert & Sight Reading Evaluation....UIL Sweepstakes Award
​First Division rating for both Concert & Sight Reading performances

-Band and Orchestras.... UIL solo and ensemble contest..... 96 First Division Medalists
There were 23 first division medalists for their solo performances,
with 12 memorizing the solo to advance to the state level. The 12 soloists advancing are:
Francisco Mendoza, Violin
Damien Alvarado, Trumpet
Noah Longoria, Trumpet
Juan Hernandez, Euphonium
Estevan Marquez, Tuba
J.J. Martell, Timpani
April Avalos, Keyboard
Lorissa Gonzalez, Keyboard
Gia Granados, Keyboard
Angela Ledesma, Keyboard
Ramsey Ramirez, Keyboard
Jeffrey Serna, Multiple Percussion

There were 11 ensembles, of which 10 ensembles advance to the state level. The ensembles advancing
are: 3 percussion ensembles; a flute quartet; a saxophone quartet; a trumpet trio; a trombone trio; a
woodwind quartet; a saxophone trio; and our HS Mariachi.
The Mariachi performed at the State Mariachi Festival in Edinburg.


TMEA All-State Member
​Jose Vasquez, Trombone
                       

Mercedes Mighty Tiger Marching Band...76th UIL PIGSKIN JUBILEE.... FIRST DIVISION

Mercedes Color Guard...Crossroads Band Festival, Calallen, TX.... Best Colorguard for 5A
Mercedes Mighty Tiger Marching Band... Crossroads Band Festival, Calallen, TX.... 2nd Place for 5A