There’s no bus ride.

They walk, in full uniform and carrying their instruments, from the high school several blocks away.

“We do it all the time,” Al Paulson, FDSH band director, said.

Paulson gave them the coach’s pep talk.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Fort Dodge Senior High marching band saxophone player Chris Hatton, 17, a senior, flinches a little as he works slips the chin strap of his over his chin Saturday afternoon at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival in Dodger Stadium.

“Musicality! Execution! Brass players watch your angles! Dress your plumes!” he shouted.

Then he gave them one bit of final instruction.

“Have fun. Have fun,” he said. “It’s what we’re here for.”

For the seniors in the band, Saturday’s field time was the end of their band career.

That included Chris Hatton, 17.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen The judges confer before the next band takes the field at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival in Dodger Stadium.

“It’s my last time in front of our fans,” he said.

Once afield, the students performed a medley of Beatles songs.

Marissa Smith, 17, a senior, is one of the band’s four drum majors. She has an elevated view of the their performance from her directing platform.

“We marched with phenomenal feet,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of fun conducting the last two years.”

Her fellow drum major, Collin Ellsbury, 17, had another task in addition to directing. He played a guitar solo to get the set going.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Members of the Fort Dodge Senior High Marching Band color guard run down the sideline with their flags Saturday afternoon at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival in Dodger Stadium.

Weather can play havoc with the tuning.

“Tuning it can be tricky,” he said. “The hardest part is getting the amp to work right.”

He’s enjoyed his band years too. He will continue to be involved with music in college; he plans to major in musical theater.

“It’s been a great experience,” he said. “I made some of my best friends in band.”

Ellsbury evaluated the last performance.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Following the performance that earned them a Division 1 rating, members of the Fort Dodge Senior High Marching Band line up for a group photo by section at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival in Dodger Stadium.

“Was it perfect?” he asked. “No. They gave their best and all of us enjoyed it.”

Paulson was happy with the band as well.

“I’m very pleased with their performance,” he said. “As to the score, the judges will tell.”

It turned out the judges agreed with Paulson: They gave the Fort Dodge band a Division I rating, the highest possible.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Drum major Marissa Smith, 17, a senior, directs the Fort Dodge Senior High marching band Saturday afternoon at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival in Dodger Stadium.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Members of the Fort Dodge Senior High marching band perform for the judges and the audience Saturday afternoon at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival in Dodger Stadium. The students performed a medley of several Beatles songs.