As the soft notes filled the air and the musicians were graced with hundreds of joyful spectators, the Linn-Mar football field became a stage where more than a hundred kids’ dreams took flight. The Marching Mustangs proudly represented Mount Vernon in a music festival placing sixth in their class at Linn-Mar as well as third later that day also being awarded best drum majors and best drumline in the Marion festival.
The Marching Mustangs competed Sept. 23 at the Linn-Mar Marching Band Competition at the Linn-Mar football stadium in Marion. There were more than 20 bands there stretching three different classes from smallest 1A to 4A. Mount Vernon is placed in the 3A class which is based on school size. In comparison, Solon and Vinton-Shellsburg are placed in 3A as well.
The Marching Mustangs are known to dominate the field when performing. “Mount Vernon has a very good history the last few years,” said Noah Webster, a junior saxophone player. The instruments played range from flutes to bass drums to trumpets; their performance this year is titled Immortal.
The Marching Mustangs have been training rigorously for the past month and a half with some even practicing over the summer. The band assembles every other morning an hour before school starts to practice along with practicing every Monday night for a few hours. The band has struck out this year being that there have not been many challenges to overcome.
Once the band was set up, the joyful screams of Mount Vernon spectators erupted from the young and old who showed up to watch the fabulous performance. The whole crowd showed excitement, and during the performance, band members from other schools appeared amazed at the marching routine.
The band has placed well in the past winning many podium spots over the past few years. At marching competitions multiple judges closely watch every move of the band pointing out “every small thing we get wrong,” said Webster. After the performance the judges will score the band; at the end of the competition, they will award the bands according to the amount of points they scored.
Overall the band “Progressed throughout the day” said Graham Vavricek, a junior trombone player. They are in high hopes knowing that with practice and lots of determination, they will get better, hoping to take first place at the next competition while also having fun doing it.
