LoneStar Classic
The Marcus High School Percussion program has annually hosted the LoneStar Classic drumline competition since 1993. The consistently high level of performance and the nationally known adjudicators brought to the contest have both helped to make the LoneStar Classic one of the most influential contests for percussion performance, and it has become one of the largest drumline contests in the country. The contest currently holds two divisions, red and silver, for each of the two levels of Standstill performance and one in Marching, plus solo competitions in keyboard, snare, and tenors. The adjudication panel selected by the LoneStar Classic Committee are nationally-recognized music educators and performers who also have university, Drum Corps International, and/or Bands of America adjudication experience.
In November 2008, The LoneStar Classic committee initiated The LoneStar Classic Director's Crystal Circle Award recognizing individual high schools with a long-standing tradition of percussive excellence and awarded during the school's 15th performance at the LoneStar Classic. To date, only three schools have been recognized in the Director's Crystal Circle: Plano Senior High School, Lewisville High School and Grapevine High School.
The 2009 LoneStar Classic was host to 77 drumlines and several exhibition performances from Marcus High School and colleges. Including the exhibitions and solos, there were 110 individual performances. That year, the LoneStar Classic committee initiated The Row-Loff Best Percussion Performance award, recognizing the drumline earning the highest net score of the day's competition. The award is underwritten by Row-Loff Productions and consists of a permanent trophy for the school, and a traveling trophy.
In November 2010, the LoneStar Classic changed venues from Lewisville High School's to the Marcus High School campus to accommodate the number of competitive drumlines attending the contest and to have a permanent indoor venue. In 2010, the LoneStar Classic hosted 82 drumlines hailing from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. In addition to the ensembles competitions, over 30 soloists competed in solo instrument competitions.