Panthers Marching Band starts competitive season well

MARION — After traveling to one of the largest marching band festivals in the state, Saturday, Sept. 23, Mt. Pleasant Community High School’s marching band took home fifth place.

According to the host school, the 28th annual Linn-Mar Marching Band Festival attracted over 2,300 students from 22 high school marching bands across the state.

Among this very strong field of competitors, Mt. Pleasant’s marching band not only scored 75.6 (out of 100) earning fifth place among 11 3A-bands, but their color guard also nabbed a caption award.

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The color guard, instructed by Whitney Rogers, earned the second highest score among all classes at the festival with 85 out of 100. Only Ankeny’s color guard outscored them with 90 points. Ankeny also took first place in the 4A division of competition.

First place for the 3A division went to Xavier High School followed by Clear Creek-Amana, Marion, Mt. Pleasant, Mount Vernon, Benton Community, Vinton-Shellsburg, West Delaware, Crestwood, and finally Solon.

Under the continued direction of Brad Cook and assistance of Laura Westfall, Adam Creager, and Aaron Williamson, the Panther Marching Band will return to the Cedar Rapids area as they continue their competitive season this Saturday.

Saturday will be a long day for the band as they depart from the school at 7:20 a.m. and don’t anticipate returning until 10:15 p.m.

They will start their day performing at Bands Across the Prairie at 10:30 a.m. at Prairie High School then head out to the Five Seasons Invitational at 2:45 p.m.

At 4:15 p.m. they will then perform again at Kingston Stadium. Awards for this second performance start at 8:45 p.m.

Both events cost $10 for spectators to attend.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com