The Rolling Meadows High School Marching Mustangs and Elk Grove High School Marching Grenadiers captured several awards at the 14th Annual St. Rita Mustang Stampede in Chicago this past weekend. With more than 20 bands competing, RMHS took 2nd place in Class AA, a mere .35 of a point from first place. In addition, the Marching Mustangs captured the Best Winds award in its class, which is the second highest of all participating bands, and received 2nd place honors for Drum Majors, Color Guard, and Percussion.
According to Director Christopher Buti, the band has been working hard to develop its program. "We have been focusing a lot on our musicality and are proud of the students being recognized for that work with their score in the Winds category."
This year's halftime/competition show, entitled "Picture This,” is based on the music of Modest Mussorgsky's famous work, "Pictures at an Exhibition." There are many frame shapes and picture poses in the drill, as well as frame-like props and twirling items utilized by the color guard. Upcoming performances for the award winning Marching Mustangs include Homecoming football game on October 18, the Sandwich Renegade Music Festival on October 20, Band-O-Rama Concert on October 23, and a home football game on October 25.
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Elk Grove High School took 5th place in Class AAA and was awarded Best Auxiliary and Best Drum Majors at the St. Rita competition. The Grenadiers will be performing at the Illini Marching Band Championships on Saturday, Oct. 12, and will end the season with a standstill performance at its Annual Fall Showcase of Music at Elk Grove High School in the Gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m.
For more information about the RMHS band program, contact the Band Office at 847.718.5752 and for more information about the EGHS band program, call 847.718.4498.
