This Friday our band, MMB, Mustang Marching Band, had their first halftime performance, in which they performed their show The Long Road Home. The Long Road Home is a performance based on the classic, The Wizard of Oz.
This show includes multiple features, including three solos, brass and woodwind features, and a whole movement in the show only played by percussion. The entire performance is around 10 minutes long. Including lots of interesting body block, and designs made by the band members themselves.
They have performed this show only once before the game at the Franklin-Simpson contest in Franklin, Illinois. The Franklin-Simpson contest was the earliest MMB has ever gone out, and they had a wonderful performance.
They perfo
rmed more of their show at the halftime performance, as they are still learning more of their show at this moment, though they are almost finished. The band had an incredible performance of their show at halftime and played some amazing pep band songs during the game, and anytime after our football team scoured.
The band received much positive feedback from spectators and band members themselves. Including from McCracken students, a statement from Isabel Weaver, a sophomore,
“I’ve seen them out there practicing all the time, and I know a lot of friends do it, and I thought it was really cool to see how all that work paid off, and how they were able to put that together.”
The band members put in a lot of work for their performances. They have rehearsals every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2:30 to 5:00, and also have competitions almost every Saturday. While some may think they work on show music during class, it is completely different music, and they have to learn music during band camp, and then work on it on their own. 
The band works diligently to have their show looking amazing for performances. Allison Vansickle, a senior at MCHS and a mellophone in the marching band, states,
“I think band is a great opportunity to not only express your feelings and emotions musically, but to also just come out of your shell and make new friends, and to just experience great teenage years of just experiences and memories you will have in the future.”
Many of the marchers enjoy band and performing, and it is fascinating to see all the hard work they put in turn into an awesome show. While some members do get anxious before performing, all the members perform confidently and should be proud of how well they do. Even with few performances of the show this season, you can tell they will have an extraordinary show once it is all completed.
