Panther Marching Band takes first 21st time in a row

Panther Marching Band takes first 21st time in a row

Oct 13, 2001

THE MCHS MARCHING Band performs in Delta Thursday. The band took first place in the annual Western Slope Regional Bands competition for the 21st year in a row.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

DELTA — Montezuma-Cortez High School captured first place for the 21st time Thursday afternoon at the annual Western Slope Regional Bands competition at Delta High School Football Stadium.

In 1989, a judging mix-up led to Central of Grand Junction’s name coming across the public address system as the winner. However, after a correction, MCHS received the first-place plaque in the field-show competition, according to MCHS band assistant director Erick Ashton.

But make no mistake. There was no error on Thursday as the MCHS Marching Band out-played and out-marched all the Class 4A competition to easily win the title. Fortunately, a strong winter-like weather front held off until just after the show was over.

"The kids did an excellent job," MCHS band director Rodney Ritthaler said immediately following the performance. "Everything that we had to work on from Grand Junction, the kids fixed it and did it."

The Panthers won the percussion competition and finished second in auxiliary (flags). Earlier that morning, MCHS won the parade competition.

Cortez Middle School won a superior rating after finishing second in parade. Centennial Junior High of Montrose captured first in that division.

On a sour note, though, Mancos High School Marching Band did not compete in either the field show or parade competitions.

The Panthers, who were the first to go on (by draw) performed their Stephen Mellilo pieces nearly flawlessly.

"They definitely got the jitters out at Grand Junction and they really performed well here. I was very pleased," Ritthaler added.

Central of Grand Junction played a piece entitled, "Grand Canyon Symphony," written by Central band director Paul Travik. However, musically, it just didn’t turn out to be a very good show. Grand Junction High put on a nice show featuring music from the light opera "The Pirates of Penzance." GJHS took second this year in the 4A field show competition.

Central took first in percussion and had the top drum major. GJHS also took second for drum major.

Cedaredge took first-place honors in AA with its Spanish music.

Palisade drew a standing ovation when it performed Lee Greenwood’s "I’m Proud to be an American" from its patriotic show. Palisade won the AAA field show.

The Marching Panthers will now turn their collective heads to state. The Panthers finished fifth across the board and will earn a bye into next Saturday’s semifinals at the Colorado Bandmasters State Competition at Invesco Stadium at Mile High in Denver. The top six bands from the semifinals advance to finals that evening.

"The Panthers will compete Oct. 27 at Flagstaff, Ariz., at a field-show competition at Northern Arizona University.