With one final run of its 2020 show, “Know Who You Are,” the Claudia Taylor Johnson Marching Band won its first Texas UIL 6A State Marching Championship at the Alamodome.
From the first hit through the ballad and finale, the show — which included musical highlights from many of its marching competitions over the years —found favor with the field and music judges throughout the season.
The state title capped a successful four-year run by CTJ’s senior class, which was part of five consecutive Bands of America super regional or regional championships, and a BOA Grand National finalist berth in 2019, finishing sixth nationally.
The Texas UIL 6A finalists (total points in parentheses):
State Champion: Claudia Taylor Johnson (10)
Silver Medalist: Hebron (18)
Bronze Medalist: Flower Mound (18)
Other finalist placements:
4th Place: Marcus (20)
5th Place: The Woodlands (22)
6th Place: Pearland (24)
7th Place: Waxahachie (35)
8th Place: Coppell (45)
9th Place: Seven Lakes (47)
10th Place: Cypress Woods (51)
There were 20 6A bands in the state competition.
Johnson’s state title run continued its run of success at the Alamodome. In addition to this year’s first place showing, CTJ has a 6A bronze medalist placement (2014), and Bands of America Super Regional championships in 2014 and 2017. Johnson finished in the top five in the BOA Super Regional there each year from 2012 through 2018.
Even though the pandemic limited competitions in 2020, Johnson was named the UIL Area D 6A Marching Champion following its performance at Jack C. Hays High School in Buda on December 5. That day, CTJ was ranked first in music and marching by each of the five Area D competition judges, with Jack C. Hays finishing second and Harker Heights third in the field of eight 6A schools.
Earlier this season, Johnson won its 13th consecutive “Sweepstakes” from judges at the UIL Region marching contest.