The San Antonio Express-News reported that Johnson High School’s 254-member marching band is navigating late-summer heat and rigorous rehearsals under the guidance of new head director Dr. Jordan Sterns. The program emphasizes a philosophy called “Win the rep,” which encourages students to be 1% better than their last repetition rather than fixating solely on competition scores. Sterns stated he wants students thinking smaller, defining success by whether the group performed its best based on prior work instead of relying on judges’ scores.
According to the report, the school utilizes a lead-secondary instructional system where associate director Sydney Scooler-Rivera oversees operations from a tower while other staff members target specific sections on the field. This structure supports students like freshman flutist Grace Weston, who found community support eased her transition from middle school. Sterns described the participants as “marching athletes” who must manage physical exertion similar to football players while controlling their breathing for musical performance. Directors prioritize safety in the San Antonio heat by monitoring hydration and encouraging rest. The band prepares for its season opener against Judson with this focus on internal improvement.
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