Photo by Samantha Davis: The Marshall band performs at the state volleyball tournament, supporting the Marshall volleyball team, at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul on Nov. 8.

MARSHALL — Supported by a heavily-decorated shelf and wall display of medals and trophies in the classroom collected over recent years, the Marshall High School band has had an eventful start to the school year.

And the ongoing success continued to add to the atmosphere of school events while boosting school spirit.

The marching band recently made a trip to US Bank Stadium in early October to take part in the Youth in Music Marching Band State Championships, and placed seventh in the Class 3A preliminaries.

“I think it’s really cool to watch the new (band) members in such a big space. They kind of get to take it all in and (have) another cool experience,” band member Brennen Thooft said. “Even though we didn’t get to make finals, getting to stay and watch (was fun), because those bands are really good … Some of the best bands in the state.”

Alexis Torres also noted the memorable experience of being able to see other band’s productions.

The band performed their season piece called “Aurora,” which resembles the Northern Lights. Other schools that participated in the state competition included bands from Coon Rapids, Blaine, Eden Prairie, Sioux Falls, Chippewa Falls and more.

“The experience, it went good. The fact that when you walk onto the field, it’s just kind of ominous and big,” Colby Allen said. “It’s kind of a little scary, I’ve been doing it a little bit, so it’s not as bad, but it’s still cool when you walk in and it’s just so big.”

While competing on the Vikings’ field was unique in itself, the lead up of the day and traveling to the big stage to represent Marshall overall was also special.

“We rehearsed here at the stadium at SMSU (Southwest Minnesota State University), we rehearsed the day before. Then we got there, went to our hotel and chilled there, woke up bright and early the next morning,” Louis Hooker said. “We got to our warm up area outside the stadium, I think we were there for like an hour, and we were in the field right in front of (Legacy Gate, on the west side of the stadium), so it was a really cool sight to see.”

Yet, it wasn’t long before the band returned to US Bank Stadium, who also got the opportunity to travel and support the Marshall football team in the Class 4A semifinals on Nov. 13. The band also was in attendance to support the Marshall volleyball team at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul for the semifinals and championship on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8.

“It was a great opportunity to get sent up there as a pep band, because all the (school) bands were in their student section,” Hooker said. “It was great.”

“I like to go because I like to watch the state events and cheer on the team,” Thooft added. “I think the pep band adds a lot to the atmosphere, and being able to pump the team up. After the volleyball team won the whole thing, the student experience and the environment, that was cool.”

Ahead of the volleyball championship match, the band was stationed just to the left of Marshall’s bench and student section, making an entire side of the arena filled with Tiger pride.

“(It was) really nice, because it just gives the next step of energy,” Allen said. “For instance, after the state volleyball win, just playing the school song really gets you hyped up and excited, or playing the school song while the football team runs out, it just brings a different level of excitement.”

Overall, the Marshall band has been off to a busy start in the new school year and continues to flow into a new project or event after another.

“It’s been fun. We’re just starting to get into more concert band stuff,” Allen said. “Previously, we were just doing pep band as marching band season was coming to a close, and all the state activities.”

The group also said they will transition into jazz band season following the Thanksgiving break.

The band is also at regular Marshall sporting and presentation events, along with hosting their own concerts throughout the year.

Along with the nights, hours and weekends spent with one another, the group of students collectively agreed that their favorite part of being involved with the Marshall band is the people and friendships made.

“(It’s) a community that you can always fall back on,” Torres said.