Wyandotte Marching Chiefs Return from Indy 500

The Wyandotte Marching Chiefs rolled into at about 8 p.m. Monday, hyped from their weekend of performances at the .

"This week is the last week of school for our seniors as they are quickly approaching finals week and the end of their high school career," said Mark D'Angelo, Roosevelt’s instrumental music director. “What a great way to end high school with great memories and performances shared with their friends."

The band had a full weekend on the road, visiting the NCAA Hall of Champions on Friday, performing in the on Saturday and marching in the parade on Sunday.

After their Sunday performance, the Marching Chiefs stuck around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch Dan Wheldon win the Indy 500. On Monday, they went sightseeing in downtown Indianapolis and visited the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art before returning home.

"I am so proud of these kids," D'Angelo said. "We had a very full weekend, and I couldn't ask for a better behaved and respectful group of students."

The Marching Chiefs shared the Embassy Suites- North in Indianapolis with The Raven Nation Marching Band from Sussex, DE. Both groups were praised by the hotel staff as some of the best student groups that have ever stayed there, D’Angelo said.

Those who were unable to make the trip were still able to watch the Marching Chiefs in action as the IPL 500 Festival Parade was televised nationwide on the VERSUS cable network. The students also used social media to keep people updated on what they were doing, including several and posts on Wyandotte Patch.

"The students and families at home have enjoyed seeing pictures and videos posted to Facebook and Wyandotte Patch, and I'm sure many more memories will be shared in the next few weeks," D'Angelo said. “This was a very successful trip. The parent chaperones were great, our tour guide from Travel Adventures was very organized, and our bus drivers from bus lines were wonderful."

The band and orchestra are now preparing for the in at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The students will perform several pop songs, including Don't Stop Believin', 25 or 6 to 4 and Sway. The evening will conclude with a performance of the music played at the Indy 500.