News : VS Band earns Division 1 rating at IHSMA Festival

Sara Jorgensen plays a sax solo as the band begins its final halftime show.

'Pop Goes the Evil;' drum major Emma Lippmann leads a halftime show; the band earned 1 more Div. 1.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Marching Band continued its string of Division 1 ratings at the Iowa High School Music Association Marching Band Festival in Cedar Rapids.

Performing at Kingston Stadium, the band earned its eighth straight Division 1 rating. Under first year director Nick Waymire, the band and flag corps performed a routine based on "Pop Goes the Evil."

The Division 1 rating is considered a "Superior" rating, and is the best division rating the band can receive.

"Given how hard the students have worked during this marching seasons, I felt that they more than deserved this accomplishment," said Waymire. "It is always nice to be recognized by seasoned professionals when hard work shows in a performance."

The band has turned in seven "fastantic performances," says the director: Four during football games and three at competitions or festivals.

"Each one has been progressively better, and that comes from dedication to the program and to each individual rehearsal. This being my first year in the profession, I had no idea what to expect coming into the year. The students have far exceeded my expectations, not just in how well they are performing, but in how they act, how they lead, how the communicate, and how they respond. This is a great group of kids, and they deserve everything they have accomplished this season," he said.

Neighboring school districts also did well, as Union, CPU, and Benton bands all received Division 1 ratings. All performed Saturday in CR.