Merrill Marching Jays finish season with state runner-up honors

The Merrill High School Band completed another outstanding marching season with a 2nd place finish at the WSMA State Marching Band Championships, which were held at UW-Whitewater. The final score of 79.1 also gave the Jays a WSMA First Division Rating, based on a set of standardized criteria such as musicianship, playing and marching technique, musical composition, repertoire, and showmanship. The band saw their scores improve throughout the season, and the percussion section also received honors for "Best Percussion" twice during the five-week run of shows.

"The focus of the group is the development of the individual members, with the ultimate goal of team success," said MHS band instructor Kevin Short. "The group, led by the wonderful senior class, clearly met this goal, and their 2nd place finish at State certainly validated the entire season of hard work by students and parents alike."

As one season wraps up, another one is already in full swing as music students throughout the MAPS District prepare for concerts in December. Watch for upcoming notices of these concerts, which will be held at many locations throughout the district.