The Spirit of Saginaw Band garnered first place ahead of Trinity High School of Euless with a final score of 91.11 to win the annual "Unleash The Sound" Marching Contest at Aledo’s Bearcat Stadium on Saturday, October 8. 

The “SOS” Band also earned a "First Division," as well as "Best in Class 5A," "Best Drumline," "Best General Effect,"  "Best Snare Drum Line,"  and was crowned the Grand Champion band of the entire contest.  

Trinity, Paschal, Southwest, and Western Hills high school bands were in attendance, as well as many others from the area.  

This is the first time the “SOS” Band has been named the Grand Champion at the prestigious Aledo competition. The "SOS" Band’s 2011 show is called "Rise Up," which features the music of Danish composer Johann De Meij’s Symphony No. 1 “The Lord Of The Rings” as well as original music by Timothy Gorgas. Gorgas flew in from Ohio to watch the band perform his work. 

The “SOS” Band is under the field direction of senior Drum Majors Lauren Robertson and Phil Esmali, and junior Drum Majors Alexis Brandt and Sarah Vowell.