January 28, 2025

The marching bands at all four high schools in the WSD had another great season of competition. We saw bands perform at a high level again this year, bringing home trophies, accolades, and pride for their individual schools and programs.  On October 22, 2024, Holt High School hosted the annual Wentzville Showcase, allowing all four high school marching bands to take the field one final time on home turf. The following is a recap of the 2024 marching band season. 

The Holt Indian Marching Band show was titled “On Another Level.” This year's show featured solos by Ari Reed (flute), Riley Dreyer (clarinet), Connor Maine (trumpet), Finn Young (mellophone), and Emily Menke (Colorguard). The 66-member Indian Marching Band participated in four marching band festivals.

• Sullivan Marching Festival (Blue Division) | 4th place
  • 8th place in Finals
• Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival (Blue Division) | 1st place
  • Outstanding Music Performance
  • Outstanding Visual Performance
  • Outstanding General Effect
  • Outstanding Percussion
  • Outstanding Auxiliary
    
• Rebel Invitational Marching Festival (Class 4A Division) | 4th place
  • Outstanding Percussion
• Ste. Genevieve Marching Festival (Class 4A Division) | 2nd place
  • Outstanding Percussion
  • Outstanding Color Guard

The Liberty High School Eagle Regiment show was titled “Blackbird Set Free,” and featured the music of the Beatles, Bach, Sia, and Stravinsky.  The featured soloists were Lyla Matteson (trombone), Ellie Simon (trumpet), Zach Koepke (trumpet), Connor Velleca (alto saxophone), Audrey Keller (clarinet), and Henry Hester (baritone).  The 77-member ensemble participated in five competitions, the WSD Homecoming Parade, and the annual WSD Marching Showcase to wrap up the season.

• Midwest Marching Percussion Classic (Blue Division) | 5th place
• Seckman Jaguar Pride Invitational (Gold Division) | 5th place
  • 2nd place Overall Color Guard
• Greater St. Louis Marching Band Festival (Red Division) | 3rd place
• Bands of America Super Regional
  • Division II Rating
• Ste. Genevieve Marching Festival (Class 5A) | 3rd place
  • Outstanding Percussion

The North Point Grizzly Band performed “David: The Story of an Underdog” where the marching show depicted the story of David vs Goliath. Everitt Stuhlsatz was the flute soloist to start the show, adding in other solos by Andrew Sizemore (trumpet), and Julia Fick (mellophone). The 74-member Band performed at four marching contests this year, as well as the WSD Showcase.

• Sullivan Marching Festival (Blue Division) | 3rd place
  • 6th place in Finals 
• Mizzou Champion of Champions Contest | 10th place prelims, 10th place finals
• Quincy Octoberfest Marching Invitational (Class AAA) | 2nd place 
  • 6th place Overall
  • Best Color Guard
  • Best Percussion
  • Best Drum Majors Overall
• Bands of America Super Regional Championships 
  • Division II Rating
  • Overall | 46th out of 70 bands

The Timberland Marching Wolves performed their 2024 production, “Kaleide’ing.” The featured soloist was Arissa Mills (flute). The 90-member ensemble performed at four varsity home football games, four competitions, the WSD Homecoming Parade, and the WSD Marching Band Showcase.

• Midwest Marching Percussion Classic (hosted at Timberland) (Green Division) | 2nd place 
  • Outstanding Snareline
  • Outstanding Bassline
• Edwardsville Tiger Ambush Classic (Class 3A) | 1st place
  • Best Music
  • Best Visual
  • Best Percussion
  • Best Color Guard
• Lafayette Contest of Champions (Black Division) | 1st in prelims, Overall Grand Champions
  • Prelims
    • Outstanding Music
    • Outstanding Visual
    • Outstanding General Effect
  • Finals
    • Outstanding Music
    • Outstanding Visual
    • Outstanding General Effect
• Fort Zumwalt North River City Showcase (Class 5A) | 3rd place in prelims, 7th place out of 14 bands
• Bands of America Super Regional Championships (Class 2A) | 6th place
  • Division I Rating
  • Missouri | 6th out of 31 bands
  • Overall | 23rd out of 69 bands

The marching band season in the WSD came to a close on October 22, 2024, when all four bands performed at Holt High School. This annual tradition gives students a chance to give a final performance in front of a hometown crowd and their biggest supporters. It also brings together our marching band families, directors, and students; helping cultivate that community bond that makes the WSD such a great place to be. Congratulations to our four amazing high school marching bands!