Playing in the Mud= Real Marching Band

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It's nights like tonight that make me love my job. Thank you all members of the Cardinal Marching Band community. This was a very special season.

Marching band students- you made my night. Senior marchers- thank you for your leadership. Without a doubt, this was the best marching band that Benton has seen in at least the last decade. Sorry past bands, but they hit the goal this year (just like you did before). We are a little better. Tonight's game was what I think band is all about. You put on a quality show at half-time. There were people that ran down in minutes to get a horn to use. There were people that marched on despite losing shoes to the mud. There were many costumes that were creative, and some that showed off some friendship and teamwork! There were millions of moments- musical and some more comical than musical- that will go down as memories made for me, and I hope a lot of you. That's what this is all about (to me). Using music to create memories that enrich lives. Thank you for producing so many of those for me. I will be eternally grateful.

Band parents- thank you for sharing your students and your time to this program. I hope you are as happy and proud of your students as I am. They memorized music and positions in the name of creating a quality show. Thank you for the support that you show this program. I know that students realize how lucky they are to have such a great booster group behind them. I know I am. You, the band boosters, have made a lot of things possible for this group that I was not sure could ever happen.

The end goal of what exists in the Benton Bandroom is creating a strong Benton Band Family. It's nights like tonight that make me feel like it is truly happening.

Light Show Pictures

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NOTES FROM THE PODIUM- OCTOBER 21ST

Marching band season is coming to a close.... There are just a few performances left until the marching band uniforms go back into the closet until May for the Apple Blossom Parade.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BENTON BAND ON 2 QUALITY PERFORMANCES AT CONTEST! The band performed our field show at 2 different marching band competitions. Although we did not place at either competition, the band received some very good compliments from the judges. More importantly, the band made some great music and memories on the field! I am very proud of the work that we put in.

Benton Band also performed in the MWSU Home-coming Parade on Saturday morning. The band played very well and managed to garner the second place trophy. It was great to take to the streets of our town and let the public hear what the Benton Band had been up to.

This Friday, the band will be playing the Star Spangled Banner for pre-game. After that, we will be retiring to the bandroom in preparation for our Light Show! Students must have a black top to go with their marching band pants. After that, lights galore are the uniform for the night. Please no strobes or major flashlights.

Our final marching band game will be October 30th. This is a Thursday night game versus Lafayette. In honor of our senior's last game, the band is required to stay in the stands for the whole game. Students take the 3rd quarter off, but are to be back in the bandstands for the 4th quarter. We will also have a post-game performance off our half-time show!

The marching band's final performance of the semester is the Veterans Day Parade. This parade takes place at City Hall with a similar route to the MWSU Home-coming Parade. The band reports to the bandroom after the early out and is shuttled to and back from the parade route.

PLEASE MAKE IT A POINT TO ATTEND OUR NEXT BAND BOOSTER MEETING ON NOVEMBER 12TH!!! We are looking for prizes to raffle off at our Winter Concert, so please be on the look-out!

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These are pictures taken by McBee Photography for the Fall program.

Band Spirit Day Photos

NOTES FOR THE PODIUM- OCTOBER 8

There is a big week coming up for the marching band next week. We will be performing in competition at two contests.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH- Benton will be performing in MWSU's Tournament of Champions. Our performance time is scheduled for 3:00 PM. We will be busing students from Benton to the warm-up field at 1:45. After our 3:00 PM performance, students will be dismissed from the photo site at about 3:30. There will be other bands performing that night including an exhibition from the outstanding MWSU Golden Griffon Marching Band prior to announcing the results.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH- The band will perform downtown as part of the morning MWSU Home-coming parade. After this, we will bus back to Benton for a short rehearsal prior to a quick lunch. In the afternoon, the band will be competing in the Missouri Day Marching Festival in Trenton. The band's performance time is scheduled for 4:15. Following its performance, the band will bus back to Benton. I am anticipating a 7:30 PM dismissal time.