MHS marching band enlivens football half-time, local parades

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
By SYDNEY STONNER/Staff writer

The Marshall High School marching band plays its way east on Arrow Street during the Missouri State Corn Husking Competition parade Friday, Sept. 25.
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
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For many, autumn means the beginning of football or harvest season, but for about 70 students at Marshall High School, fall is about marching band.

They practice in the chilly early morning hours -- setting drill on the field, working to march with toes pointed toward the sky and learning to play their instruments in all weather conditions.

This season, the band's marching show has a Latin theme. The three songs in the show are "Aztec Fire," featuring trumpet soloists Allee Barton and Bryson Fergison; "Perfidia"; and a medley of Latin tunes, which includes "La Virgen de la Macarena" and a reprise of "Aztec Fire." The final work features trumpet soloist Matthew Kraus.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, the band participated in Carrollton Band Day, competing in the 4A class against groups from Oak Grove, Warrensburg, Chillicothe, Platte County, Savannah, Boonville, Helias in Jefferson City, Pleasant Hill, Smithville, Staley in Kansas City, Hickman Mills in Kansas City and Excelsior Springs.

In the parade competition, MHS received a score of 71.8 out of 100, placing ahead of Excelsior Springs. In the field show, the band scored 75.4 out of 100, beating Smithville and Excelsior Springs.

Although the band didn't score in the top five, the groups that get trophies, Director Kate Koffman was satisfied overall with the results.

"Our goal this year was to improve the band's scores from last year," she said. "Of course, there is a little room for discrepancies because the judges are different. We achieved our goal in field show, but we fell a bit in parade competition."

The band participated the parade competition at University of Central Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 10, placing third.

The band also performs at all half-time intervals during MHS home football games.

In addition, the MHS marching band will perform at the following local events: MHS homecoming Friday, Oct. 16; Missouri Valley College homecoming Saturday, Oct. 17; and the annual Marshall Christmas parade Friday, Dec. 5.

Koffmann, originally of Sedalia, is new to the MHS band program this year. She graduated from University of Missouri in May 2009 with a graduate degree in conducting.

She attended UCM for her undergraduate degree in music education and graduated in 2007.

Koffmann played the flute in Marshall Municipal Band this past summer.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Comments

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I have noticed the band's improvement at the halftime shows at MHS games. Congratulations to Ms Koffman. We're lucky to have her. She's brought a new enthusiasm to our students. So proud of you,too, MHS band members.

-- Posted by oneofmany on Wed, Oct 14, 2009, at 12:20 AM

Way to go band! Happened to see them perform at UCM's Homecoming Parade this past weekend and they really sounded great. They represent Marshall well and are to be congratulated, along with the Band Director!

-- Posted by OldOwl on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, at 11:38 AM

Way to go MHS Marching Band! Scoring about 70 in any field show or parade competition is something to be proud of - keep up the good work!

-- Posted by koeller77 on Mon, Oct 12, 2009, at 4:05 PM