Letter to the Editor: Mansfield School Bands and Accomplishments

My name is Laura Dunn, I am the president of the Mansfield Band Parent Association.

I am writing to recognize the students of the Mansfield school bands, including the Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble and Winter Guard. All of our groups have been so successful this year, I don't know where to begin!

On April 7th our marching and concert ensembles competed in the NESBA (New England Scholastic Band Association) Championships. Both Ensembles placed first in their divisions making them the New England Champions!

On April 18th both units traveled to the World Championships in Dayton Ohio. On Friday 4/20 Our marching group placed 10th in the world, beating out over 60 groups! This is the first time our marching group has made finals! The unit is only 3 years old and this is an outstanding achievement!

Our Concert group was resurrected this year, they also competed in Ohio and they placed second, landing them a silver medal!!

Both Ensembles are under the direction of Matt McGuire. He is amazing and our students are privileged to be under his tutelage! There are also 8 other drum techs and instructors for the ensembles.

These students, make a major commitment, more than any other "sport",  practice relentlessly for 9 months, over 350 hours!  We have 31 students in total, some of them in both ensembles. 

Also on March 31st, our Winter Guard also competed in The N.E. Winter Guard Championships, taking home second place!  They also had a very successful season and placed first in two competitions, one of them being our mansfield high school Home Show! They are under the direction of Tommy Lee.

Both groups are funded by the band parent group volunteers.

Laura Dunn