O'Connor High School Band Performed Unrest

The O'Connor High School marching band secured a sixth-place finish at the recent Warrior Coliseum Invitational.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Teens

O'Connor High School Band Performed Unrest

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Should school extracurricular programs prioritize winning competitions over student personal development?

Directed by Gabriel Valdez, the O'Connor High School marching band placed sixth among 18 competing groups at the Warrior Coliseum Invitational. The band is currently performing a show titled Unrest, a production originally scheduled for 2020.

Why it matters

The program emphasizes a team-focused philosophy to develop its members, with a significant portion of the ensemble composed of younger students. By pairing freshmen and sophomores with upperclassmen, the staff fosters a cohesive group dynamic despite the relative youth of the roster.

Freshmen and sophomores represent approximately 60% of the marching band, which includes 35 seniors on the current roster.

The players

Gabriel Valdez

He serves as the head director of the O'Connor High School marching band program in San Antonio.

Jesse Cuellar

He works as an assistant director for the O'Connor High School band program.

Jose Marin

He serves as an assistant director supporting the band program.

Mandi King

She is the director of the color guard program at O'Connor High School.

The details

Directors refine the group's performance by working with individual sections before integrating the full ensemble. The staff includes Gabriel Valdez as head director, with Jesse Cuellar and Jose Marin serving as assistant directors and Mandi King as the color guard director.

The band originally planned to perform Unrest in 2020.
The ensemble competed at the Warrior Coliseum Invitational on October 5, 2026.

Roadmap

The competitive environment for high school bands remains a primary driver for music program excellence in Texas. Participation in regional events provides a standard gauge for groups to measure their instructional success against peer institutions across the state.

Students involved in the band program gain experience through an structured mentorship system that pairs younger members with seniors. Families and supporters can observe these results at upcoming marching competitions held throughout the fall season.

The takeaway

The program emphasizes the phrase we before me to encourage collective success over individual achievement. This team-first mindset remains essential for integrating a high volume of underclassmen into a high-stakes competitive environment.