The Marching Mustangs season closed with a final performance at the Martha Parsons Family Activity Complex Thursday, Oct. 19.
Ahead of the performance, the Marching Mustangs led a tunnel and played the school fight song to cheer on the Mount Vernon volleyball team in their home contest at Mount Vernon High School as part of regional playoffs.
Director Scott Weber also acknowledged the senior members at the conclusion of the evening, and their future academic opportunities.
In the past weeks leading up to the final performance, the Marching Mustangs received their ninth straight Division I rating at the State Marching Band competition in Cedar Rapids. They were also the only Class 3A school to receive a Division I rating at the contest site. The band followed that performance with a competition in Muscatine, where they placed second out of 11 bands competing with a score of 84.25. The band also took best color guard accolades at the event.
Weber also shared that the band had been recognized by parents and judges at state competition for cheering on their fellow competitors.
“Some of you ask why we go early or why we stay late at shows,” Weber said. “It’s because every kid matters and showing support for those who work just as hard as us is the right thing to do. It’s kindness and respect. I’m more proud of this than any trophy or rating.”
The comments from judges and parents thanked the Marching Mustangs for their support of all bands at the competition as a mark of great sportsmanship and encouragement for others.
The Marching Mustangs’ final competition was at Waukee, where they placed second out of eight Class 3A bands competing and fifth place out of all 16 bands competing. They had a score of 80.35.
The band also recognized Dave Ryan, the announcer for the band for the past nine years, with one of this year’s senior medals for all he has done for promotion of the band.
The Marching Mustangs enter Armstrong Field Thursday evening.