The Mount Vernon Marching Mustangs spent this past week in marching band camp, getting to work on their “Immortal” themed season.
“The theme is like a testament to how music will never die,” said Bella Hasley, major with the flag corps. “Directors and composers may, and music may sometimes fall out of style, but it’s always there waiting to be rediscovered.”
Director Scott Weber said the band is large again this year, with more than 100 members.
“We’ve had hundreds of students participating in band camp, and I think that has a lot to do with the excitement of band members and the veterans in our leadership talking about how important this camp is to helping us prep for the field show,” Weber said. “That is already making for an exceptional season for our band.”
His hope is that the band will have a show not only students are happy with, but the community as well.
He’s also really pumped for the band to be able to take to the Mustang Activities Complex later this fall.
“We’ll be able to go from practicing in the band room for warm ups to heading to that stadium and field and working on our shows,” Weber said.
The band will perform in several shows this fall, as well as two new ones.
“We’ll be competing at Marion for the first time this year and are excited to attend on their new field,” Weber said. “We’ll also be making a return to Muscatine for the first time in roughly seven years for their competition.”
Weber said that three days into band camp, students were picking up a lot of the field portions.
This year’s show challenges include music that relies a lot more on woodwind instruments than previous shows, including an entire section that doesn’t feature the drumline.
The first performance for the Marching Mustangs will be Aug. 25, the first home game to be played at First Street Community Center field.
Molly Snedden, senior drum major, said her favorite part of band camp is the time spent building bonds in the band.
“Especially connecting veteran band members with the new members to give them guidance,” Snedden said.
She said camaraderie as a band develops at each competition and band event.
Claire Nydegger, drum major, said one of the things she has loved about band camp this year is the evening activities which give students chances to have fun and deepen relationships outside of time on their field. That’s included hanging out at Weber’s home, nights at the Mount Vernon pool or other hosts.
“I really look forward to building relationships with everyone,” Nydegger said.
Nydegger said the drill for this year isn’t terribly complicated, but the music is a challenge.
Korah Jo is in first year as a drum major, and it’s been great learning to see the band from a different perspective.
“It’s harder to see some of those elements when you are marching in formation on the field, so it’s neat to see all the work that goes into drill,” Jo said.
Emily Patten, member of the color guard, said her favorite part of band camp is watching the show coming together.
“We do have a few days of color guard camp where we work on things, but it’s nice to spend time with new members and get ready for the marching band season,” Patten said.
Patten said that this show has a lot of flag tosses, so the importance is to avoid hitting other flag corps members or other band members.
Sarah Fluharty, a senior color guard member, said that band camp is a great chance for the flag corps to bond with other members of the band.
“I’m glad this is the show I’m going out on this season,” Fluharty said.
Hasley said it has been great learning from other color guard captains as well as working with the veteran members and welcoming the new member to their corps this year.
“I really love the color guard a lot,” Hasley said.
‘Music will never die’
August 10, 2023
About the Contributor
Nathan Countryman, Editor
Nathan Countryman is the Editor of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun.