About Crane High School Band

During the fall evenings you will see two things in the skyline of Crane, America. That will either be the stadium lights on at El Ave Stadium downtown or the lights on down at the marching field but you will only hear one thing and that is the sound of the Golden Crane Band.

There is a rich history of the bands at Crane ISD, and it all starts in the fall semester when your fifth grader comes home for the very first time with that little plastic recorder and they start playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and their first performance at the Christmas concert with the middle school and high school bands. Than in the spring semester, you get a letter from music class talking about band and your child is talking about they want to play the drums or the saxophone. In sixth grade, your child is learning about to play their clarinet and learn how to play as a band. They have their first ever band contest in Greenwood and they say, "Mom, I need a new dress!" or "Dad, can I use one of your ties?".  Before you know it, you are sitting in the Alamodome in San Antonio seeing your child on the jumbotron at the UIL State Marching Contest.


The Crane Golden Crane Band had held a Sweepstakes tradition of 40 Years in both Marching and in Concert & Sight-Reading, and in counting.
The Crane Golden Crane Marching Band is the Spirit of El Ave!

TMEA Honor Band:
Crane HS Band - Scott Mason – Class 3A – 1990
Crane MS Band - Daniel Todd – Class C – 1998

UIL State Wind Ensemble Contest Champions:
1987-1988 – Scott Mason, Director
1988-1989 – Scott Mason, Director
1989-1990 – Jesse Lotspeich, Director

 

ATSSB All-State Musicians:
As of 2023-2024, Crane HS Students have qualified 151 ATSSB All-State Bands Musicians. Crane HS currently has the most ATSSB All-State Bands Musicians since its founding in 1991.

UIL: University Interscholastic League - UIL website

TMEA: Texas Music Educators Association - TMEA website

ATSSB: Association of Texas Small School Bands - ATSSB website

Golden Crane Band (Crane HS) Directors:

Sara Hill (2022 – Present)

Daniel Todd (2001 – 2022)

Jesse Lotspeich (1991 – 2001)

Scott Mason (1983 – 1991)

Crane Assistant Directors:

Juan Gonzalez (2023 - Present)

Ryan Chambers (2019 – 2023)

Rebekah Cook (2018 – 2019)

Elaine Truitt (2014 – 2018)

Lisa Martinez (2013 – 2014)

Sara Hill (2010 – 2013)

Alan Gregory (1994 – 2010)

Daniel Todd (1993 - 1994)

Joey Ashbrook

Judy Mason

Crane Middle School Directors:

Ryan Chambers (2023 - Present)

Russell Dean (2019 – 2023)

Sara Hill (2014 – 2019)

David Cadena (2007 – 2014)

Noe Cisneros (2006 – 2007)

Daniel Todd (2005 – 2006)

Jason Brents (2001 – 2005)

Daniel Todd (1994 – 2001)

Richard Rhynes

Jesse Lotspeich

UIL State Marching Contest:

18 State Appearances currently.

Crane HS is tied for 6th most appearances in the State of Texas overall.

Year

Class

Marching Show

Place

Director

2023

3A

"Imaginarium"

Finals - 10th

Sara Hill

2021

3A

“Across the Universe"

Prelims - 17th

Daniel Todd

2019

3A

“Return of the Samurai”

Finals - 9th

Daniel Todd

2017

3A

“One Shot”

Prelims - 15th

Daniel Todd

2015

3A

“Gladiator”

Finals - 9th

Daniel Todd

2013

2A

“Dreams & Nightmares”

Prelims - 18th

Daniel Todd

2011

2A

“Mythology”

Finals - 9th

Daniel Todd

2009

2A

“Code of the Samurai”

Finals - 6th

Daniel Todd

2007

2A

“Cirque de Soleil: Quidam”

Prelims - 10th

Daniel Todd

2005

2A

“The Planets”

Finals - 4th

Daniel Todd

2003

2A

“West Side Story”

Finals - 5th

Daniel Todd

1998

3A

 

Finals - 7th

Jesse Lotspeich

1996

3A

“The Beatles”

Finals - Silver Medal

Jesse Lotspeich

1994

3A

 

Finals - 5th

Jesse Lotspeich

1989

3A

 

Finals - Silver Medal

Scott Mason

1988

3A

 

Finals - Silver Medal

Scott Mason

1986

3A

 

Prelims -

Scott Mason

1984

3A

 

Prelims -

Scott Mason

1983

3A

 

Finals – 5th

Scott Mason

UIL Marching Contest Division One:

Division One is the top ranking to earn at UIL Marching Contest.

Crane High School has earned a total of 41 years of Division Ones:

1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation Contest Division One:

Division One is the top ranking to earn at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Evaluation Contest.

Crane High School has earned a total of 40 years of Division Ones:

1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023