The Ozona Lion Marching Band began summer practice for the 2019-2020 marching season on July 29. In the past two years, the band has had great success. In the 2017-2018 season, the band received their first Division One at Regionals in the past 15 years at the time. That year the band got the opportunity to advance to Area. Out of 25 bands, Ozona secured a top 10 spot, making it to finals. Out of 10 bands, Ozona placed ninth that year. Last season, the band had a unique opportunity to advance once again. Without a doubt, the band wanted to earn another recognition with a sweepstakes. The band went on to receive their second Division One at Regionals and advanced to Area. The band secured a spot going into finals fifth. Top four bands would head to state that year. After competing again, the band placed seventh. The band then went on that spring to receive Division One ratings in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading, winning sweepstakes. This year, the marching show theme is “Africa.” The show was written by Steven Trinkl with the opener, “Senzeni Na,” “Africa,” and closer “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” The show combined is filled with new instruments show casing different African tunes. Returning drum majors are seniors Manuel and Humberto Torralba with Band Director Vincent Del Vecchio. “Making Area and Finals have opened our eyes that we have something going in this program,” Del Vecchio said. Both drum majors and band director want the band to continue to grow into a bigger program for future seasons to come. “We want the band to become bigger and popular, that’s one way to have successful seasons,” said Manuel Torralba. The band’s first public performance will be during halftime of the Aug. 30 game in Sonora. UIL Marching Contest will be Oct. 19.