Article Photos

Fact Box

Results of ISHMA state marching band contest

Class 1A

Bishop Garrigan: I

Northwood Kensett: II

North Sentral

Kossuth: II

Class 2A

Belmond-Klemme: II

Pocahontas Area/Pomeroy Palmer: I

Ogden: I

Garner-Hayfield: II

Lake Mills: I

West Marshall: I

Class 3A

Algona: I

Humboldt: I

Forest City: I

Charles City: I

Webster City II

Estherville Lincoln Central: I

Class 4A:

Marshalltown: I

Fort Dodge: I

As the Humboldt Pride Marching Band of Humboldt High School got into formation at the entrance to Dodger Stadium, band members called out "Who are we?" The rest of the band answered: "We are the Pride!"

With that, the band marched in perfect step out onto the field to perform its set, which featured music from "Nightwatch." Once the final note of the 15-minute performance rang out, Humboldt band fans were on their feet. Band members cheered with excitement on a job well done.

Saturday's Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band contest was the second and final competition for the 77-member Humboldt Pride.

"This is our last big wrap-up thing of the year," said Ben Harper, Humboldt High School director of bands. "Since we're performing for a rating, our biggest goal at this contest is to try and beat our own score from the last contest. They've just worked hard to improve every week."

That hard work paid off . The band earned a Division I rating, which is the highest rating possible.

For the Scarlet Regiment Marching Band of Algona High School, Saturday was the second time the band has had the opportunity perform its full show called "Piano Man,"which features hit music by pop-rock musician Billy Joel.

"The weather hasn't been good to us this year," AHS Director of Bands John Aboud said. "It's been hard to get performances in. With rain on Friday nights, we haven't been able to perform it at home yet. Last week was our first full performance during Algona Band Day and the first time the kids saw video of it. Our main goal is always to make this show better than the last show."

Although its performance opportunities have been limited this year, State Contest was Algona's chance to shine. It also took home a Division I rating.

Curtiss Klein, Fort Dodge Senior High director of bands, served as both band and site director Saturday. Klein said there were 17 bands featured at the competition, more than in the past.

"This is one of the larger competitions we've hosted," said Klein. "We have 17 bands and two that are here competing for the first time."

Even in spite of chilly Saturday morning temperatures, it was business as usual for each band in attendance.

"It was 30 degrees when the first band took the field this morning," Klein said.

"They won't let the cold affect them," Harper said of his band. "We rehearsed this morning at home when it was 28 degrees."

Joyce Hughes, of Storm Lake, bundled up to spend the day at Dodger Stadium taking in each performance with her daughter, Thera Shey McMahon. McMahon's daughter, Ica McMahon, is a member of the Fort Dodge Senior High Marching Band. The two stood cheering and taking pictures from the top row of the stadium during FDSH's performance of selections from "Fiddler on the Roof."

"I think they looked fantastic out there today," said Hughes. "I've seen them perform a few times this year at football games, but we've never had a seat this good. They looked awesome from up here. This performance has topped them all."

McMahon agreed.

"They were great," she said of FDSH. "We came this morning for the whole thing, there were some really good bands here."

"We're three generations of band members," said Hughes. "When you've been in and around bands for years, you really know a good band when you see one."

Contact Emilie Nelson at (515) 573-2141 or enelson@messengernews.net