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DHS Pride of the Vikings Marching Band Awarded 18th Consecutive Division I Rating at IHSMA State Marching Festival

Posted: Mon, Oct 14, 2019 8:53 AM

On Saturday, the Pride of the Vikings Marching Band participated in the Iowa High School Music Association's State Marching Festival held in Waterloo.  They were one of fifteen marching bands in attendance.

Each marching band was assessed by a panel of six judges covering the captions of Music General Effect, Music Execution, Marching and Maneuvering General Effect, Marching and Maneuvering Execution, Percussion, and Color Guard.  Judges assessed each marching band and rated them using a system of Divisional Ratings: a Division I is considered Superior, and a Division V is considered Poor. This year the Decorah Pride of the Vikings Marching Band received its 18th consecutive Division I rating of Superior.   

This year's show was entitled Living Life and featured music from The 5th Dimension "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," from the movie Moulin Rouge "One Day I'll Fly Away,"  a drumline feature entitled "Raptor," and Coldplay's "Viva la Vida."  The Pride of the Vikings Marching Band is under the direction of Dustin Bliven, Matt Cody, and Emily Hahn. The Drumline is under the direction of Peter Ries, and the Color Guard is under the direction of Laurie Walter. This year's drum majors are juniors Abby Hanson and Maggie Kane, and senior Rex Huinker.  This year's trumpet soloist is Landon Miller on "One Day I'll Fly Away."  

Mr. Bliven remarked, "The marching band really did a great job at the State Marching Festival this year.  It was cold and windy, and each member of our ensemble braved the elements to put on an amazing show. This year's group has been a blast to work with, and they really learned the music and drill quickly.  We had amazing senior and section leader leadership within our ensemble and a great work ethic across the band. I would like to thank the seniors for their four years of hard work, dedication, and leadership.  Each of them has made a difference in our program!"