If you live near Woodrow Wilson High School, you are no stranger to the energy that surrounds the campus. Be it traffic in the morning and afternoon, after-school events, weekend festivities, and morning band rehearsals you feel its presence in the community. If it seems the energy is a little bigger and the mornings a little peppier, it may be that the band is a lot larger. That’s right y’all, the Woodrow Wilson High School band is back together!

Not surprisingly, the COVID era hit the program hard. It’s tough to practice and perform with masks, and it’s tougher when you can’t practice as a group. The year started with a reduced headcount that further declined as students left for a myriad of reasons. Then, when the world started to spin again, the band director left creating uncertainty in an already uncertain time. Yet, the band managed through thanks to the determined efforts of its then percussion director who took over both positions until an interim band director came on mid-school year. Ultimately, by the summer of 2021, the program endured more departures in directors and the band dropped in size from about 130 musicians in 2018 to around 40. 

Little did anyone know these challenges would create the opportunity to bring on Caitlin Schmidt as Band Director, and Michael Park as Percussion Director. Both are in their second year at Woodrow Wilson. Thanks to their efforts the program is thriving and only getting better. It has grown to around 100 members and they expect more to join each year. Ms. Schmidt is no stranger to the Woodrow Wilson community having been the J.L. Long Band Director for 12 years. She grew up in Georgetown in a musical family. She studied Music Education at the University of North Texas and continues to perform in a band with her Dad along with her work as an educator and with the Dallas Music Educators Association and Texas Music Educators Association. She continues to give tirelessly to the program and her efforts were noticed as she was just named the Woodrow Wilson Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024. When asked about her vision for the program she offered, “We are here to make life-long lovers and supporters of the Arts. We want to have a wonderful Band with fantastic musicians, but more importantly, we want to make sure we are sending wonderful humans out into the world once they leave us at Woodrow.” 

Mr. Park moved from Old Tappan, New Jersey to Dallas specifically for the opportunity to be the Percussion Director at Woodrow Wilson. He studied Music Education at the University of Delaware and received his master's in music performance at Miami University. When he's not in the classroom he is an active composer and performer. He wasted no time embracing Dallas as his home as he is currently a performer in the Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Drumline. His dream for his percussionists is “to inspire others through their passion for performing and to always strive for excellence in whatever they pursue in life." These two love music, love teaching and love being at Woodrow. The kids love them as well and put in the work, sometimes even volunteering for more work to be the best they can be.

The work is paying off as they took 13 students to State for Solo and Ensemble in May of this year. They also made it to Area for the first time in four years earning a I rating at this year’s marching UIL competition. As for the rest of Woodrow Wilson High School and community engagements, they take pride in their relationship with each. They enjoy rallying the crowd at football games and pep rallies and participating in community events such as Light Up Lakewood, the Dallas Holiday Parade, and the Dallas Marathon. You may have even heard them at local elementary schools or attended CATFest, their largest fundraiser held each Spring. Mark your calendars to attend the next one on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 at Samuel Grand!

As the band grows, so has community support which has also contributed to the recent achievements. A donation from the Kiwanis Club of Lakewood provided greatly needed funds to purchase equipment necessary to move large instruments on and off the field for half-time shows. A donation secured with the help of the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation funded private lessons for some of the members. However, many needs remain and the Band Boosters will continue their efforts to fundraise and are excited to work with local organizations to do so.

Now that marching season is winding down the band will shift its focus to concert season, but be sure to look for them during the Holiday Season as they are slated to perform at a variety of events. Bring your budding musician for inspiration or simply come enjoy them yourself.  The band brings the party and you don’t want to miss it!

Upcoming Appearances:

Light Up Lakewood — 12-1-23

Dallas Holiday Parade — 12-2-23

Senior Citizen Brunch — 12-7-23

Galleria Holiday Performance — 12-15-23

CATFest 2024 – 4-28-24