During the 2010 competitive marching season, the Marching Mustangs from South High School in Downers made history by qualifying for finals competition at the Invitational Marching Band Championships at Illinois State University. In 2010, the Marching Mustangs finished in 11th place in finals with a score of 69.90.
During the 2011 competitive marching season, the Marching Mustangs created unprecedented historical success, both at South High School and in the competitive marching bands.
"I've never heard of or seen this much competitive improvement in one year" said DG South Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. "This improvement trajectory is simple awesome."
During preliminary competition at ISU, the Marching Mustangs finished second place in Class 6A, winning the caption for Best General Effect and earning a spot, for the second year in a row, in finals competition.
"This year, there were 45 competing marching ensembles in the event at ISU." said Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "Heading into the invitational at ISU, the competition among the top bands was fierce. With automatic bids, only 14 bands qualify for the evening finals performance."
Based on a random draw, the Marching Mustangs were chosen to perform last in the finals competition, stepping off at approximately 10:44 PM. This is the moment when South High School history was about to be made.
The judging panel scores were tabulated and the results were announced, first starting with 14th place and then moving to 5th place. "When our school wasn't called, my heart was pounding." said junior drum major Josiah Williams. Then, came the history making moment. The public address announcer read the results, boldly proclaiming the Marching Mustangs as 4th place with a score of 83.55. A historically unprecedented leap from 2010, both in terms of score and final placement.
The Marching Mustangs will continue to perform at home play-off football games, and, will appear in the nationally televised McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL. For more information about the Marching Mustangs, or about Fine Arts at South High School, contact department Chairman Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.
Enjoy the video below of the Marching Mustangs historical 2011 Finals performance at the 2011 State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Championships at Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University.
