Marching Bulldogs prepare for Mt. Vernon parade
Marching Bulldogs performed at the homecoming football game Sept. 23. Their show theme is The Roaring 2020’s.
September 30, 2022
The band competed at Murphysboro two weeks ago winning best band overall.
The Marching Bulldogs have already competed at two parades this year, as well as the Homecoming parade.
“I believe we’ve been marching at Mt. Vernon since 2017,” band director Hannah Drake said. “We have won these competitions as long as we’ve marched there.”
Members of the band really enjoy competing in parades.
“Parades are amazing,” sophomore Zechariah Underwood said. “I would say performing in parades is my favorite part of band.”
It’s taken the band months to get to the point where they are now.
“We’ve been working on our field show and competition piece since band camp at the end of summer,” drum major Ali Hankins said.
While the parades are a big deal, the band has also been perfecting their halftime show for the varsity football games at home.
“Roaring 2020s was going to be our field show in 2020, but because of the pandemic, it was put on the back burner for a while,” Drake said. “Once I heard Blinding Lights, and the arrangement of Industry Baby, I knew this was a good year for that show.”
The band members aren’t the only people who have had to work hard for parades and field shows. Color guard has also been preparing.
“We (color guard) have been working on the field show since July,” assistant color guard captain McKenna Boon said. “A ton of hard work has been put into the band and color guard.”
Drake wouldn’t change a thing about this year’s routines.
“I feel like this is a very competitive routine,” Drake said. “When we march it with precision and focus, it’s impressive.”
Other members think there is still room for improvement.
“If I could improve one thing personally, I would improve how to control the dynamics, in both the field show and parades,” Underwood said.
Otherwise, the band has high hopes for the remaining performances of the season.
“I feel good about Mt. Vernon,” Hankins said. “As long as everyone stays focused, I think we will do well.”
The Marching Bulldogs will be performing at the home game against Benton Sept. 30 and competing in the Mt. Vernon Fall Festival Parade Oct. 1.
