Mustang Public School’s band program’s most successful year culminated in a Double Accent Sweepstakes at the OSSAA state contest. Only one other school can claim the same accomplishment, making Mustang’s program one of the top in the state.
The MHS program has so many participants, two wind ensembles and two jazz bands represented Mustang. Both sets received superior ratings in every category including sight-reading. The MHS Nightriders also earned superior ratings at the marching band contest in the fall.
Bryan Myers, director, said the district has won a single sweepstakes award, but not a double.
“I am very proud of the students,” he said. “They worked very very hard, and the staff did an outstanding job working with the students.”
In the state solo and ensemble contest, 60 students earned close to 50 superior medals for their performances. April 18-19 the concert band, wind ensemble and ninth-grade band combined for a competition in Atlanta. The jazz band also participated. The combined band earned superior ratings, and the jazz band, under the direction of Roger Sharp, was named the overall champion.
Myers said every concert band from the middle schools up earned superior ratings at the OSSAA contests this year. Mustang North Middle School, under the direction of Ryan Edgmon and Belinda Watson, and Mustang Middle School, led by Sharp and Watson, earned superior ratings at the Elk City contest and the district contests. The Mid-High band, under the direction of Bradley Harrison, did the same. Harrison credited Myers and the collaborative effort of the rest of the band staff with the year’s success.
“Mr. Myers does a great job,” Harrison said. “Mustang is a great place to work. It’s not a one-man job; the staff intertwines very well.”
Broken Arrow, with three times the population of Mustang Schools, was the only other district in the state to earn a Double Accent Sweepstakes. |
