The Mustang Marching Band placed second in their first competition of the season Saturday, Sept. 20, competing against three teams at the Tiger Ambush Classic in Edwardsville, Illinois.
“Our band director was very happy with the run and we think it went really well,” sophomore Peter Nicastro, trumpet, said.
Senior Logan Shipton, euphonium, said there have been several changes to the marching band this year including the new show theme. There’s also a new assistant director, Eric Schrantz, who replaced Kaylin Knost who moved to Rockwood Valley Middle School.
The show this year is called “Life Reframed” and shows the stages humans go through in life.
“You’re a baby, graduation, and then like, your first love,” Shipton said.
With the new show came new uniforms, junior Caleb Stockman, drum major, said. The uniforms are white, featuring light blue frames to represent the theme, “Life Reframed.”
“I think they are pretty cool,” Stockman said. “I definitely like the material of this one better because it’s a lot more breathable than the old ones.”
Although many schools are able to have unique uniforms for every show, Stockman said that isn’t achievable for a smaller band like MHS’ due to costs.
”We don’t change it every year for that reason, but we still like to have it thematic to the show,” Stockman said.
Freshman Bea Bynum, baritone saxophone, said it was hard work learning how to march properly, but she said it’s worth it to have the show come together.
“We’ve gone over the sets for our shows like a thousand times, so we should be doing pretty good,” Bynum said.
During the summer the marching band practiced Tuesdays through Thursdays for three hours over two weeks. The practice time was extended to eight hours the following two weeks to ensure that the band is prepared for the season, Bynum said.
In addition to playing during football games half times, the band has a total of three more competitions this season.
For the first time, MHS will host one of these marching band competitions on Saturday Oct. 18
Christian Pierce, band director, said there is a national band competition that a lot of bands can’t attend due to location. Hosting the competition at MHS gives these bands a chance to compete without having to travel so far.
This particular competition will have nine schools participating. Pierce said a typical competition hosts between 9 to 20 bands.
As hosts, the Mustang Marching Band will not be placed as a part of the competition but will perform in exhibition. They will get a score, but will not get a first, second or third place rank.
“To have our last in-state performance be where I started marching band and where I am leaving, along with graduating from is just an amazing feeling,” Shipton said. “It does make me sad but also so happy, almost relieved as I am fully closing the last chapters in my life.”
