MOUNT VERNON — Band Director Scott Weber and the Marching Mustangs will be spending their Thanksgiving somewhere other than Mount Vernon this year: Disney World, in Orlando, Fla.
Weber and the marching band had an undefeated competition season this year, and are now navigating the transition from marching on the field to marching in the streets of Disney World. “Our marching season just ended, and usually they’re used to going straight into Concert Band and Jazz Band,” Weber said. “We started Jazz Band, but now it’s almost like we’re starting another marching band season, so I think it’s a little frustrating to them.”
The group will be playing a variety of Disney music during the parade, with student favorites including the Mary Poppins medley, Star Wars, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
“We’re trying to figure out what this all looks like as we learn the music and get more comfortable with each other and the music itself,” Weber said.
Weber adds that the community and school district has been essential in the band’s success this year and participation in the Disney parade.
“The administration’s always the first to say yes as long as we get approval from the school board,” Weber said. “We’re always very well supported by the administration and the community when we take a trip like this.”
Despite the success, Weber and his students agree that the band didn’t start out this connected and successful in the beginning of the year.
“This was the biggest band that we’ve had, 147 [members], and I think because almost half of the band were freshman and sophomores, there were growing pains in the beginning,” Weber said.
“The improvement from the first day we put on drums to the end, it was really incredible,” said senior drumline member Isaac Dausener. “I mean, also as a band too, the improvement was pretty cool.”
For most members of this band, this will not be the first parade they have participated in as a Marching Mustang.
“We’ve been lucky to represent our community in quite a few parades,” said senior color guard member Malena Koehn. “We’ve been to Chicago, Washington D.C., and we’re doing this one. It’s really exciting being able to show off our community like that. It’s just an honor.”
Besides their achievements and fun experiences, students also appreciate connection and growth as a result of participation in the marching band. “I’d say the passion to make ourselves better,” said sophomore Andrew Weber. “We work really hard, and the season showed for itself. We pushed ourselves to the limits, and we wanted to be better than last year, and I think we succeeded there.”
“I think just seeing everybody succeed and do well, and see the younger girls grow to their full potential, because they’re so talented, and I just love them so much,” said senior color guard member Ingrid Morf on her favorite part of marching band. “Seeing them smile after every performance and excited and jittery and happy after everything is just a really rewarding thing.”
Weber adds that the senior class has been an exceptional asset to the band as leaders this season.
“They’re just very dedicated, passionate, and hardworking,” Weber said of the senior class. “I think they’ve helped build the band to the point where we’re as competitive as we are now, and so they know what it is that needs to be done in order for that success to continue. Plus, my daughter is a senior, so it makes it kind of special too.”
As far as what has made the band so successful, Weber believes it’s the wonderful group of students and community in the marching band.
“I always tell the kids that the band room is a place for them to be who they are. There’s no judging, we don’t ridicule or bully people.” Weber said. “So, I wish I knew the exact answer to why [the Band’s] been successful, but we just try to make it a special place where they can be themselves and make mistakes, as long as they work hard and support each other.”
Senior drum major Korah Jo Robinson agrees with Weber, saying that the theme of this past season’s show, Mount Vernon, helped bring the group together.
“What really makes a band good is when they have love for each other and love for their community and that’s what we’ve built,” Robinson said. I think that the spirit of Mount Vernon and our togetherness definitely contributed to the season.”
Overall, students at Mount Vernon High School are excited to share their music in Orlando this month, capping off an unbelievable season for the Marching Mustangs.
“It’s pretty cool to be in such a tiny school in the middle of nowhere playing in Disney World,” said senior drumline member Lewis Krob. “I never expected to do that.”
“Our slogan is the pride of Mount Vernon, and I think that’s something that was really prevalent in our season this year, because our show was about our home, Mount Vernon,” Robinson added. “I think it’s really cool to be able to go and share the spirit of Mount Vernon in other places.”
