Following a brilliant marching season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School Marching Band can add another trophy to its already-large collection.
Marching in the Colorado Bandmasters 2A State Championships in Grand Junction on Oct. 28, M-CHS finished second, just behind defending 2A state champion D’Evelyn High School.
“I was really pleased with the performance,” said M-CHS band director Rodney Ritthaler. “Although it was warm, the wind was blowing really bad, but I thought that the kids did a great job and put on a fantastic performance.
After posting a score of 69.05 in the semifinals, M-CHS advanced to the finals and scored a 68.80, 68.80, which was good enough for second place behind D’Evelyn, which scored a 71.40.
Although narrowly missing out on a state title was disappointing, band members agreed that the marching season was well worth it.
“We did so much better than last year,” said sophomore alto saxophone player Ryan Jackson. “I was so happy to go to finals this year.”
“On day one, it was really shaky,” said senior drum major Patrick McDonald. “We had a really young group, but it got a lot better. By the time we got to state, I was satisfied.”
“I will remember the amount of growth from the very beginning when we started band camp to the culmination of what we did at state,” said Ritthaler. “Our group put forth a tremendous amount of effort.”
With the marching season now behind them, the M-CHS will begin preparing for the concert band season while marching in a few parades on the side.
Looking ahead to next marching season, the band will return loaded and ready to contend for a state title.
“Things look really good,” Ritthaler said. “Although the seniors graduating are some top notch kids, the group coming up from middle school looks to be larger than the last few years.”
Before thinking too extensively about next season however, those involved with the M-CHS band will take some time to revel in what turned out to be an outstanding 2013 marching season.
