Not many bands are able to crowd around to celebrate three new trophies at their homecoming dance. For the Marching Mustangs though, they secured this feat after bringing home the prize a mere 12 hours prior.
The Marching Mustangs competed at Linn Mar Stadium in Marion on Sept. 28, scoring amazingly in second place, along with winning Best Drumline and Best Color Guard. Their score of 77.4 was only 0.3 points behind the winning Independence marching band, who had a score of 77.7.
Including Mount Vernon, 20 high school marching bands attended. They ranged from class 2A to 4A, with the Mustangs being in 3A along with schools such as Solon and Independence.
The band has been soaring in competitions this season with their show, titled “Among the Stars.” At their first competition of the year at Mount Pleasant, the Mustangs placed first overall. In comparison with last year, the band placed sixth at the Linn Mar competition, and ended the season in second.
“Among the Stars” is a very unique performance, and has been extremely well loved by both band and audience members. “The idea that our show is about reconnecting with ones that you’ve lost is really cool,” said color guard captain Ingrid Morf, a junior, “and I think we’re making a big impact with this show.”
When preparing for a competition, the band tries to “focus on ourselves and not our competitors; try to make our show the best for us and not anyone else,” said junior Eva Bishop, a trumpet player and section leader.
However, they also just try to just have fun and relax. Before competitions, the band plays the “Banana Song” together, and the color guard dances to Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!”.
Although the year has had its fair share of challenges, the Mustangs were able to have an amazing start. “We finished putting the drill on the field before school started, and so we’ve really been able to push for better musicality and dynamics,” stated Morf.
The band vigorously practices their performance regularly: during Early Bird, first hour, and Monday nights. “Overall we just need to work on the music and making it beautiful,” said Bishop.
In the future, band members shared that they would love to see the band keep achieving and growing, but also “focus more on becoming like a community and a family and getting to know one another,” said Morf.
