Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was among 125 people who turned out Sunday for a banquet in honor of the Scarborough High School band.

The event marked the culmination of a year spent building the school’s fledgling band program, increasing from nine students at the start of the year to 40, all of whom received awards on Sunday.

Mayor Turner congratulated the students on their achievements, and encouraged them to continue to work hard in pursuit of their dreams. He even said he’d work with the principal to have the band perform at next year’s Super Bowl in Houston.

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Band Director William Allen said he and Scarborough students and staff were thrilled at the mayor’s support.

“The mayor could have been anywhere on Sunday, but he took the time out to come and speak with the students,” Allen said.

Over the past year, the band has won several accolades, including first place in the small band category in a “Battle of the Bands.” In addition, the group was rated as “good” at the concert band festival, and got to participate in several community events, including the Galveston Mardi Gras Parade, and the Houston MLK Grande Parade.

Allen said the growing band program has a lot to look forward to, including an influx of new students next year from Clifton, Black and M.C. Williams middle schools.

Additionally, as part of the bond program, the school is receiving $12.6 million to renovate the nearly 50-year-old campus in northwest Houston. Among the plans for the campus are a new band room, which Allen plans to stock with new instruments.

“Students in the neighborhood don’t have to go elsewhere to be part of a great program,” he said.