MHS Drumline Beats the Heat at the Mattoon Bagelfest Parade
The MHS Pride of the Green Wave Drumline officially kicked off parade season with an outstanding performance at the Mattoon Bagelfest Parade, demonstrating the results of weeks of summer preparation, teamwork, and dedication.
Marching bands often spend countless hours rehearsing long before audiences see the finished product. Summer rehearsals build endurance, consistency, and confidence, and those efforts were on full display as the drumline energized the parade route with cadences and parade music from start to finish.
Parade by the Numbers
The morning was filled with plenty of memorable moments:
- 🥁 12 drummers (including cymbals)
- 🚶♂️ Just over 2 miles marched, beginning near the 2800 block of Western Avenue
- 🥢 Only 4 dropped sticks
- 💧 Well over 2 cases of water consumed
- 💪 Zero dropouts, with students encouraged to remove their drums whenever they needed heat relief
- 🎶 Countless performances of the parade tune and cadences throughout the route
These numbers tell a story of preparation, resilience, and a group of students committed to giving their best despite the summer heat.
More Than Just a Parade
Parades serve as more than community performances—they’re an important part of a marching band’s development. Long parade routes challenge students physically while reinforcing proper technique, musical consistency, listening skills, and teamwork.
Experiences like Bagelfest help prepare students for the demands of football games, competitions, and the marching season ahead.
As an instructor, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is watching students grow through hard work and seeing that preparation come together in a successful performance.
Looking Ahead
Congratulations to the entire MHS Pride of the Green Wave Drumline and a special thank you to Director of Bands Justin Hunt for his leadership and commitment to the program.
The excitement is just beginning! Be sure to support the MHS Pride of the Green Wave Marching Band as they make their 2026 field show debut on August 7.
Congratulations to all of the students on a fantastic start to the marching season—we can’t wait to see what comes next!
Interested in building your own drumline or marching percussion program?
Chris K Music and CK Marching Services provide drumline instruction, percussion clinics, custom cadences, marching percussion arranging, visual design, and educational consulting for school music programs throughout Illinois and beyond.