When thinking of traditional Texas food, what comes to mind? Steak, barbeque, and… chili. Yes, chili. If there is one thing the band loves more than music, it’s chili. Each year, the band uses one of their two spring concerts to double as a chili cook-off. The mild, the wild, and all the in-between flavors are welcome.

For band concerts, usually the youngest group go first. This group is usually the intermediate band which is the seventh and eighth graders. This year, there were several conflicts with the students in being there in time with athletics, the spring musical, and other rehearsals for the young musicians.

The smell of fresh chili is always accompanied with fun table decorations, and the opportunity for the musicians and parents to show off their finest western wear. Students are allowed to wear flannel shirts, boots, and cowboy hats if they so choose.

Between each song at the concert, there are interview videos played on the screen of the judges to know a little more about them. Asking about what they think qualifies them to be a chili judge, their earliest chili memories, and lots of other questions. It’s all in good fun, of course, and there is a segment full of speed rounds of either-or questions of the judges personal preferences.

With the judges full and the votes all tallied up, it’s time to decide the event’s winner. Most band students usually do not compete in the cook-off. But the talented musicians’ parents submit their own entries while they listen to the music. However, when scoring, the entries remain anonymous to avoid biased opinions for the judges. And last year, percussionist Amari Barra, took home the trophy with his chili.

Guests are welcome to join the cook-off, join in on the fun, and listen to the fun music selection of music the band loves to play.