-
The Madill Band performed a send-off show for the OSSAA Regional Marching Contest that will be held October 14 in Atoka. Courtesy photo
The last time the Madill Band received a Superior rating at Regional Marching Contest was in 1995, but the 2020-2021 band is hoping to change that. On Monday night, the band performed its first annual Regional Marching Contest Send-Off Show for parents and the community. Band Director, Kendal Hasty said it was an opportunity to include the parents.
“This is an opportunity for all the band parents to see what their students have been working on for the past 12 weeks.”
Friday night football game concession stands are run by band parents, so many parents miss the halftime show.
“Our band program owes our community so much. First and foremost is our wonderful new fine arts facility that has two new band rooms and the equipment to make our facilities second to none. We cannot thank the community enough. We want to show them that we are putting their investment to good use,” said Hasty.
The send-off show holds as a dress rehearsal before the contest. Due to covid-19, the band was not able to compete in other contests. Hasty said performing in actual band uniforms and in front of people is totally different than just practicing.
The (OSSAA) Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association Southeast Regional Marching Contest will be held on Wednesday, October 14 in Atoka. Hasty and his assistants, Cayden Howard and Samantha Faulkner, as well as percussion help from Jonathan Francis, have been working tirelessly to help the students prepare for this contest. “This contest is important because it is the first in three parts to get a State Sweepstakes Award, the band equivalent of a state championship,” said Hasty.
The three judges five the band a rating, with the highest and lowest rating being dropped and the overall rating remaining.
Regional Marching Contest is unusual because bands are not in competition with each other, only themselves. “These past few years the band as consistently improved but has not quite yet reach the superior rating,” said Hasty. “This task is extremely difficult.”