Oct. 15 marks the second consecutive year the Manhattan High School Marching Band is attending the Central States Marching Festival.  This event draws marching bands from across Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma to perform for several judges.

“It’s more of a competition against yourself,” Chris Carter, sophomore, said.  “It’s a pretty difficult competition, because you have five different judges that have been in the business a while, so they know what to look for, weak points and such.”  

Bands are judged in a variety of areas and each ensemble receives a one through five ranking afterwards.

“They look for not only you as a whole group, but just your individual effort and your marching style, how well you’re doing,” Jillian Sauer, sophomore, said.  “Yes it’s based on skill, but it’s also, they’re just looking for effort, and just that you’re having fun.”  

The marching band will perform three different numbers based on songs from the band Journey: “Don’t Stop Believin,’” “Any Way You Want It” and “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin.’”

“There’s a lot of movement, and it’s really high-energy,” senior Peri Carney said.

The public is invited to attend.  Tickets for the general public cost $10, and $5 with a student ID.

To prepare for the event, the band has been attending early morning rehearsals in addition to their daily in-class practices.  

“We’ve been doing really good these last few years, and this year we’re going to get superior, I know it,” Carney said.  “It’s going to be a really good show.”