The Marching Mustangs season is off to a great start, with one third place finish, two second place finishes and one first place finish.
On top of that season start, the band has received several accolades, with one notable one being the best color guard section at four of the contests. At Linn-Mar the color guard was the top color guard out of 19 bands in competition, and the color guard tied Linn-Mar at the Marion competition with a score of 99.0. This past weekend, the band picked up one more best color guard accolade at Bands Across the Prairie.
“It has been an absolute joy [seeing the color guard taking home best color guard at multiple competitions], because they so deserve it after all of their hard work, and their celebration of each other has been wonderful,” said color guard coach Elise Rodenberg. “I love watching them perform and have fun – I tell them to sparkle on the field and I think they really do. Our color guard is becoming known for our incorporation of dance with the flag work, and we are very proud of that. I think our unique style is something that audiences and judges both enjoy. Color guard has changed a lot since I was in high school and college guard years ago, and I’m just excited to be along for the ride!”
Elise said that work for students with the color guard actually begins with introductory camps held in the winter, run by current color guard members to help teach anyone new to color guard the basics.
Auditions for the color guard are held in late February.
Scott Weber, band director, will come up with the drill and music for the show, which Rodenberg gets in late May or early June and Elise then works on choreographing all of the flag work the color guard will perform.
“I can’t start that part of my job until the drill is done, because I have to know where the color guard will be marching and how much space they have, otherwise we’ll be running into band members with our flag poles,” Elise said. “It is a quick turnaround to get the show choreographed in June (usually takes me between 60-70 hours of work), and the second week in July we hold our three-day choreography camp. This is where I teach them the fall show. We also have activities to work on dance technique, acting, and bonding as a group. I’ve been lucky to have Courtenay Baker come in as a dance clinician the past few years too.”
After learning their parts at camp, students are responsible for practicing and memorizing choreography so by the time band camp rolls around, they can put their routine with the drill and the rest of the band.
“I think all of this is fundamental to our success – we put in the hours in the off season so our fundamental skills are strong, then apply that to our show,” Elise said. “The biggest difference we’ve made is getting everyone to come to band camp with the choreography memorized. That really started with last year’s group, and instead of spending time reteaching we can immediately begin refining and polishing our choreography, as well as work in more difficult and cool skills.”
Marlena Rodenberg, who is one of the color guard members who is essential to the memorization and choreography of the color guard, concurs with Elise.
“We have our choreography camp in early July, and from then to band camp, we practice,” Marlena said. “I know I practiced almost every day. Because we put all that work in early in the season, once we start working with the band, we’re already steps and leaps ahead.”
“Because we know our choreography so well and are confident in what we’re doing, we can put in that extra aspect of performance and star quality. Placing high and winning best guard at these early competitions gives just that extra push of confidence that we need to make this season extra special.”
Senior Malena Koehn said that the Bandgo challenge Elise has instituted has motivated many students to learn choreography.
“Each box has a task, for example, running opener choreography or journaling about your goal this season,” Koehn said. “If you get a blackout, you get a Fuel Art and Espresso gift card, so obviously that was a motivator to complete the bingo. Therefore, the entire guard had all the choreography basically memorized before the season started, meaning we used our rehearsal time to clean the choreography. This has greatly contributed to our success.”
“Not only the Bandgo, but this guard contains some of the most hardworking, passionate, kind, and talented young women I have ever met, and I am so incredibly proud of each of them.”
Senior Ingrid Morf said that this year’s color guard is one of her favorites to be a part of.
“There are so many talented girls on our team and it’s cool to see them so passionate about what they do on the field,” Morf said. “One thing I think is different about this season is how close we all have become. The guard is like a second family and I know that they’re all supporting each other which is really cool.”
Morf noted that this development of the color guard has been happening since COVID-19.
“When I started color guard in 2021, it was the first normal season out of COVID and most of us on the team had to learn how to march and twirl a flag,” Morf said. “I feel like every year after COVID we’ve improved so much and now we are able to teach the new generation the things that we’ve learned over the last four years, which is really special.”
Koehn has been a color guard member since 2020, joining as an eighth grader.
“What I have enjoyed most is having a family of the best people,” Koehn said. “We all care for each other, support each other during the ups and downs, both in season and post-season. I have met some of my now closest friends through this guard and the Marching Band.”
Elise said she loves working with the color guard, a creative outlet that combines elements of music, dance, theatre and athleticism.
“The students push me to write better, more creative things every year,” Elise said. “I love that I can try new things with them – we can work as a team and bounce ideas off each other. Some of our coolest choreography, especially solos, comes from the students themselves. It is so neat to see their personalities come through in the choreography and to encourage them to explore their creativity.”
Marlena said she loves being part of something creative and expressive with a group of people who also love the same things she does.
“Some of my favorite memories from the color guard are having our warm-up in the Walmart parking lot, driving to Casey’s with Violet Olinger singing at the top of our lungs, and scoring a 99 out of 100 at the Marion competition with the best guard I could have asked for,” Marlena said. “Some of my best high school memories are from this color guard, and we all have a really beautiful bond.”
For Morf, her favorite memories from this season have been when the guard bonds on the bus to contests, in the stands, or right before a show.
“The team’s chemistry this year has been really strong and I think that’s why we are willing to put in the time that we do, because we all want to succeed,” Morf said.
Koehn said the get-ready parties ahead of every home football game are some of her favorite memories.
“We bring treats, play music, and get ready together,” Koehn said. “The endless laughing, smiling, and loud singing have been a highlight of the season. It has really brought us together as a guard and has greatly contributed to our success. These girls are family, and they are what make the Mount Vernon color guard so special and stand out.”
As they’re entering state marching band contest this week, Elise hopes students enjoy themselves, take care of themselves and do the best job they can while they’re on the field.
“We are continuing to polish and find ways we can get better,” Elise said. “I am looking forward to bringing our show to new audiences, watching the guard get better every week and just enjoy this cool show we’ve created.”
“Color guard is one of my favorite things to do, and I think it is a really beautiful experience for anyone who loves performing,” Marlena said.
“We have been working incredibly hard, and I am excited to show everyone what we have been working on,” Koehn said. “I am also so excited to be in the stands for hours, cheering on other bands, all while having fun together. Those are the best memories by far, and I can’t wait to make so many more in these last couple of weeks of this season. “
