Monarch High School Coyote Marching Band Finishes 6th in State

October 29, 2013, Louisville, CO—Exhilarating. Emotional. Energetic. Those words and the smiles after the semifinals performance of “Flight” by the Monarch Coyote Marching Band Saturday afternoon at Hughes Stadium on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins said it all.

“That was the most mature performance I’ve heard from the brass,” said Director Dan Pinkston, a big smile punctuating the statement.

“And the woodwind run was clean as a whistle,” added Director Clare Church. “Anything can happen, but that was their best performance yet.”

As the drum majors and the band awaited the announcement of the placement for finals, many joked about the fact that with all the “M” schools (Monarch, Montrose, Mesa Ridge), it would be nerve-wracking. “My heart dropped as they started to announce ‘Mon...trose,’ said Drum Major senior Samantha Ripley with a laugh. “Then they announced us in sixth place for finals, and I was so thrilled to get to perform our show one more time.”

Prior to the finals performance, the stadium camera crew superimposed Drum Major senior Christina Bartholomew in profile over the band members standing at attention. For the Monarch parents in attendance, that was symbolic of marching—student leaders and student performers working toward a common goal.

“As the band becomes more successful, we are coming to understand the traits of being a finalist band,” said Pinkston. “As musicians, you need to remain sharp and focused for finals at the end of a long day. The great leadership team of drum majors and section leaders made this a smooth and ultimately successful season for us.”

“We ended the season with two great performances in a row,” said Drum Major senior Christina Bartholomew. “It’s bittersweet that we are done, but finals was a wonderful show.”

“Standing in the middle of 110 students who just came off the field after giving everything they had and putting on a spectacular finals show—feeling the synergy of a performance like that is one of the best feelings a musician can have,” said Pinkston.

“It doesn't matter whether we get first place or tenth place,” said Drum Major senior Will Searight, “it’s the fierce pride and determination to make ourselves the best performers we can be and to have that mutual trust and work ethic with supportive friends. Joining marching band was most definitely the best decision I could have made.”

The judges rewarded that fierce pride and determination with a score of 73.50 and a sixth place finish among 4A bands. Air Academy took first place with a score of 83.30, followed by Loveland (80.50) and Liberty (78.55).

“The top five positions are very hard to get in to, but we are already thinking and planning how we can improve and move up,” said Pinkston. “The excitement about the Monarch band program keeps growing, and we are looking forward to even better shows and results in the future.”

Most members of the Coyote Marching Band participate in other instrumental ensembles at Monarch High School. Upcoming performances include the jazz concert at 7 p.m., November 6, and the winter concert at 7 p.m., December 4. You can celebrate the Coyote Marching Band’s successful season by cheering them on at the Louisville Parade of Lights on December 6.