MHS marching band claims pair of first-place awards

The Mitchell High School marching band benefitted from its hard work to win two competitions on the same day, according to Ryan Stahle, MHS director of bands.

The band claimed first-place awards at band contests in Vermillion and Orange City, Iowa, Saturday.

“This was a historic weekend for us. Our kids have worked exceptionally hard the last six weeks and it’s paid off,” Stahle said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. They are amazing!”

At the 28th Annual Quad State Marching Band Competition in Vermillion, the MHS band received first place in 3A competition along with receiving awards for best percussion and best color guard.

The band’s total is the highest in the school’s history at this competition, Stahle said. The event held in the Dakota Dome featured 22 bands from South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa.

Because the Mitchell band was competing at Orange City later that day, it left the Dakota Dome before the awards ceremony and had to find out the news from parents and senior drum major Jim Dunn, who stayed behind, via the phone.

“It felt amazing to accept that award,” Dunn said. “Our hard work is something that not only our present band can feel a since of accomplishment in, but also hopefully something that our past bands can feel proud of.”

The band competed in the Dutchmen Field Championships in Orange City to wrap up its two-state, two-event day. It also featured 22 bands from around the region.

The band competed in the 3A class again and received first place, sweeping all caption awards as well: Best Hornline, Best Percussion, Best Color Guard and Best Drum Majors.

The band will finish its competition season at the Youth in Music Marching Band Competition in Minneapolis at the Metrodome.

It will also perform at the last regular season MHS home football game on Thursday and at the fourth Annual Indoor Marching Band Concert at the Corn Palace Nov. 8.

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