MONTE VISTA— The Monte Vista High School marching band won first in the Class 1A competition this weekend at Legend High School in Parker, Colo. Though they were the only 1A band in the competition, some 24 other high school bands competed in other classes.
The performance helped ready the Pirates for the upcoming regional competition to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, where they will face the stiffest instrument-toting rivals they’ve had in years. They’ll be competing against five other 1A bands for only three available spots at the state competition in Pueblo in late October.

“Competing against so many bands in regionals is a change,” said Monte Vista’s band director Jason Paschall. “But the recent win has definitely lit a fire under them.”  

This is Paschall’s first year as band director for Monte Vista. “I’ve been very impressed with the kids,” he said. “I have thrown a lot at them and they have risen to the occasion.” The Pirates will be performing a James Bond 007 medley that includes “Sky Fall,” “Live and Let Die” and Die Another Day,” which they performed along Monte Vista’s streets during the Stampede and Homecoming parades. The band chose the medley last spring when Paschall gave them the choice of three musical themes.

The Pirates will compete on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Colorado Springs. If all goes well, they will finish in the top three and advance to state. The Monte Vista High School Band Boosters will likely post the outcome either way on its Facebook page. “We should know the results by 5 p.m.,” Paschall said.  

Tuesday evening, the high school and middle school bands performed at Sullivan Field. “It’s tradition for the band to perform the night before the Wednesday regionals,” Paschall said, “and it’s the only time the middle school will perform in front of a crowd.” The band boosters also held a chili supper and sold baked goods to benefit the band.

Upcoming band events include a Veteran’s Day concert on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Central Auditorium along with the SLV Big Band to benefit the completion of the Faith Hinkley Veteran’s Memorial Park. The cost is $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

In the spring, Paschall wants to hold an instrument donation drive. As people are doing their spring cleaning, he said, they can donate things like old trumpets and clarinets. “It will give those instruments a second life with a Monte Vista band member.”

As far as Wednesday’s regional competition, Paschall believes the band has a good chance at advancing to state. “Monte Vista’s marching band has long had a reputation for excellence,” he said. “And this year, people are saying they sound better than ever.”