Michigan City High School's Wolfpack Marching Band concluded a successful fall season on September 30, receiving a Gold rating at the Indiana State School Music Association Festival Class Championships in Crown Point.
At the championships, the band also received both Visual and Music Distinction achievement awards for its 2017 show, "Moving Day!" The drumcorps-style show depicted how it feels to move into a new home and let go of the past, utilizing music entitled, "Pulse: The Art of Motion" by Randall Standridge. Visual designers for the show were Doug Goodwin and Hayden McClure of Evansville, Indiana. It featured a trumpet solo by Adam Howard, baritone solo by Elizabeth Klinger, and keyboard soloist Parker Gouge.
"The students worked very hard this fall, and I'm so proud of what they've accomplished," said MCHS Wolfpack Band Director Frank Gast. "This was a complex show, and their marching and musicality really reflected the hours of rehearsal they put in."
Last month, the Wolfpack Marching Band also received Gold ratings in competitions at Highland and Hobart High Schools, with special awards for Music, Visual Presentation, and Color Guard. In its first competition in early September, the band received a Silver rating and a Percussion achievement award in competition at Kankakee Valley High School.
The Wolfpack Marching Band is under the direction of Frank Gast and assistant director Katie Safa, and is led by student drum major Cassie Mason. The color guard is led by student captain Emigh Steinhagen, and is under the direction of Trisha Foltz. Percussion is under the direction of Andrew Altherr.
The band will perform selections from "Moving Day" on October 12, during the Michigan City High School Music Department's fall Premier Concert. The concert takes place in the MCHS auditorium at 7:00 p.m. and will feature vocal and instrumental music by students from all bands and choruses at the high school.
Watch the Wolfpack Band in competition here: