Mustang band heads to Chicago for director's final march

After 39 years of teaching and 22 years at Madisonville High School, band director Stephanie Schmidt will lead her final major performance in her hometown of Chicago on Thanksgiving.

The Mustang band will march in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday, Nov. 28, performing for a national television audience on Pluto TV, CBS Chicago and CANTV. The group of 70 students and 26 adults leaves Monday, Nov. 25, at 5 a.m. for the trip north.

'It's a great way to get these kids an experience that some of them will never get again,' Schmidt said. 'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel this far and do this.'

The band earned its spot through an application process that required video submissions and community recommendations. Schmidt applied after attending last year's parade to scout the route.

Students have practiced parade marching every Monday for the past five weeks, playing their selection 'El Gato' for 30 minutes straight to prepare for the milelong route. The band is scheduled as participant 112 out of 190 groups in the parade that begins at 8 a.m.

'Being on a national and international stage lets them put in perspective how much of an impact music has on people,' assistant band director Greg Brown said. The last time the Mustang band performed at this level was the 2009 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, where they marched in the parade and performed at halftime.

'We got to march in that parade as well as we marched at Disney in California,' Brown said.

'But it's been 16 years.'

For drum major Braelee Harrell, who plays trombone, baritone, percussion and French horn, the trip means experiencing something new.

'Probably the weather,' Harrell said about what excites her most. 'I like snow, and it never snows here.'

Clarinet player Ana Nacianceno sees the trip as a chance to make memories with friends.

'I'm excited to get to share that with my friends,' Nacianceno said. 'I wonder if people are going to think I look cool.'

Layla Rosario, who plays snare drum in the percussion section, has family in Chicago and looks forward to seeing the city in winter.

'They're really stoked,' Rosario said about her family. 'They're excited to see me on TV.'

Gavin Marsalis, a clarinet player since sixth grade, admitted to nerves about the national broadcast.

'I'm nervous. I think everybody is. If they say they're not. They're probably lying,' Marsalis said.

'But it's good nerves, I want to do good.'

Schmidt came to Madisonville in 2002 after teaching 17 years in other districts. She plans to retire in May.

Colton Willis, a percussionist whose family will attend the parade, summed up his feelings about the performance.

'It makes me want to cry,' Willis said. 'Makes me want to go hug everyone I love. It makes me want to be famous.'

The parade will air on Pluto TV for viewers who want to watch the entire event. CBS Chicago and CANTV will also broadcast portions of the parade.

— STEPHANIE SCHMIDT, MUSTANG BAND DIRECTOR