January 7, 2026 — Osborne High School's Red Sea of Sound (RSOS) marching band got to spend part of their Christmas break in sunny San Antonio, Texas. They had been invited to perform alongside other bands from across the nation at halftime of the Valero Alamo Bowl. While there, they also competed against the other bands for the unique honor of performing their own field show during the pregame lead-up to the December 30 game between the USC Trojans and the TCU Horned Frogs.
"The experience was magical!" said Osborne Band Director Isaac Wimberley proudly. "Osborne represented the city of Marietta and the state of Georgia on the national level at a major bowl game televised on ESPN!"
The RSOS won the field show competition, securing the spot to perform during pregame. They returned to the field at halftime to perform in the mass band performance, which featured bands from Michigan, Kansas, and Nebraska.
"They did an AMAZING job performing for the pregame crowd of more than 54,000! It was well-received based on the loud cheers and applause throughout their performance," Director Wimberley happily reported.
"Although we have won competitions in Georgia, winning the competition was even better in Texas," said junior trumpet player Alexis Lee. "I was not nervous about our performance because I knew we could win and would perform well."
In addition to the pregame slot, the RSOS earned many other awards in both the field show and parade competitions.
Field Show Competition Category Awards:
- First Place Overall
- Outstanding General Effect
- Outstanding Drum Major
- Outstanding Auxiliary
- Outstanding Percussion
- Outstanding Marching
- Outstanding Music
Parade Competition Category Awards:
- First Place Overall
- Outstanding Marching
- Outstanding Drum Major
- Outstanding General Effect
- Outstanding Percussion
- Outstanding Auxillary
"This Texas trip was a mind-blowing experience, and my first time traveling to Texas," said junior Fatima Nunez. "I got to meet other people from other states who are passionate about band. It was pretty cool to see that people all over the country are serious about band, like we are here in Cobb County."
Tenor saxophonist Barbara De Faria agreed and said she was excited about traveling so far on a school trip.
"It was great traveling with and being around other folks who are just as passionate. It was an eye-opening trip that really helped us come closer as a band family," she said.
The Osborne group was chaperoned by Band Booster parents who also joined the students on the 19-hour bus trip to San Antonio.
"We love our band parents and appreciate their willingness to assist to ensure the safety and well-being of our student musicians!" Director Wimberley said.
The group also participated in many other fun events during their time in the Lone Star State. They spent the day at Six Flags Fiesta and had a blast riding all the rides. They got dressed in casual Texas attire—boots, jeans, and western hats—for a ranch-style dinner and line dancing at Pedrotti's Ranch. And of course, they spent time on the beautiful River Walk and enjoyed Tex-Mex from popular local restaurants.
Freshman trumpet player Marcos Perez said the experience will remain with him for the rest of his life.
"It was a lifetime memory, traveling with so many friends and having a great time," he said fondly. "I had always wanted to join the marching band since my sister participated, and I'm so glad I did. Students from the other bands were so nice, and I enjoyed talking with them. I felt nervous before the pregame performance, but once we marched on the field and I began playing, I felt at peace and played my best. It made me proud to know that I performed a field show in front of 50,000 people!"
