The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) congratulates Middleton High School’s marching band and color guard on their second place finish in Class AAAA at the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Marching Band State Championships.
In addition to earning second place with a score of 84.075, the Cardinals earned three of the four caption awards:
Best Color Guard for the fourth consecutive year;
Best Musical Presentation for the second consecutive year; and
Best Percussion for the first time in school history.
The competition was held at UW-Whitewater on Oct. 18. The Cardinals’ road to state included first place finishes at the Waukesha North Bandfest at Carroll University, the Stoughton Marching Invitational and the Sauk Prairie Marching Invite.
“We congratulate all of our students on their accomplishments throughout the season,” said band director Eric Rothacker. “They worked incredibly hard to create performances of high artistry, and we couldn't be more proud. Special thank you to our seniors who have been with us for the past four years and have helped institute changes and improvements that continue to improve the program.”
Rothacker also thanked the program’s volunteers for their support of the band’s successful season.
The band’s theme this season was “Cleared For Takeoff” and featured music by U2, M83, George Gershwin, and Christopher Tin. The aeronautical theme included an actual airplane on the field as a prop.
In addition to Rothacker, the marching band is led by band directors Doug Brown and Michael Ver Voort and color guard coaches Kasey Graff and Madeline Holman. Percussion coaches include Patrick Coughlin, Sebastiaan de Waart, Hayli Lavallee, Tanner Day, and Charlie Fenske. A team of staff members and volunteers including Darlayne Coughlin, Kellie Werth, Noah Brockway, and Alaina Riley also support the ensemble.
The band was conducted by student drum majors Haley Jodlowski, Asha Chakravartula, and Gavin Wiese.
Join MCPASD in celebrating the more than 200 talented students in the marching band and color guard for their stellar season.
Photo credit: Amy Unbehaun