8/9/16 Whitehouse Band/Denny Whitley by Andrew D. Brosig
Read MoreWildcat Band Director Denny Whitley, center, keeps time stepping in place as his students learn marching technique on the first day of field practice Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, at the high school in Whitehouse. Whitley received the 2016 Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding commitment to Music Education from the Texas Bandmasters Association during its convention in July in San Antonio. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP
Wildcat Band Director Denny Whitley, center, watches the feet of one of the squads as students learn marching band technique on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, at the high school parking lot in Whitehouse. It was the first day of marching practice outside for the band as it prepares for the upcoming school year. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP
The percussion section keeps time during warmups Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in the Whitehouse High School band hall. Wildcat Band director Denny Whitley received the 2016 Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding commitment to Music Education from the Texas Bandmasters Association during its convention in July in San Antonio. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP
The bells of the tuba section reflect the light during a preseason rehearsal of the Whitehouse High School band on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, at the school band hall. Director Denny Whitley received the 2016 Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding commitment to Music Education from the Texas Bandmasters Association during its convention in July in San Antonio. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP
Director Denny Whitley leads the Whitehouse High School band during practice Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, at the school band hall. Whitley received the 2016 Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding commitment to Music Education from the Texas Bandmasters Association during its convention in July in San Antonio. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP
Director Denny Whitley, center, conducts the Whitehouse High School band during warmups Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in the band hall at the high school. Whitley received the 2016 Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding commitment to Music Education from the Texas Bandmasters Association during its convention in July in San Antonio. Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP