Pride gets superior rating at regionals

The Pride of Chandler Marching Band scored all superior ratings at the Northwest Regional Marching Band competition at Enid High School on Oct. 11. They were one of 12 bands to compete in Class 3A, along with two other Lincoln County high schools, Prague and Meeker.

“I feel so proud of our kiddos for all the hard work they poured into this season,” said Chandler High School Band Director Rachel Karger. “They showed great potential early on when we started our summer camp back in July.”

The band has had a great run this contest season, starting at the end of September at the Ironhead Invitational Marching Festival at Eufaula High School on Sep. 30. The Pride of Chandler made it to the finals and placed 6th overall, as well as winning Outstanding Percussion.

“We ended up having a good run and the judges gave good feedback,” Karger said. “We worked through some of our errors and geared up the next week for the Glenpool contest.”

At the Blue & Grey Marching Classic on Oct. 7 at Glenpool High School, the marching band made it to the finals again and placed second behind Perkins-Tryon.

At regionals, all that hard work paid off with The Pride of Chandler scoring “superior ratings across the board.”

“As their director, one of the most rewarding parts of working with them is watching their growth over the season,” Karger said. “Watching them work toward a common goal together, grow together, overcome obstacles together, put their literal blood, sweat, and tears into it, and then seeing that shiny twinkle in their eyes and joy in their hearts when they accomplish that goal.”

She added that she is grateful for all the band parents and their help with loading, unloading, building props, and in general, supporting their kids. Additionally, the Chandler Public Schools administration has been supportive.

Prague band director Cari Moll said she is very proud at how far the Pride of Prague has come this year. They’ve shown huge improvement and continued progressing all season. The band won excellent ratings at regionals, which Moll called their best run of the season.

“Although it’s not the superior rating we always strive for, we are all very proud of them and must keep in mind that our ratings are based on a snapshot from an entire season of hard work and growth,” she said. She is most proud of how the band has become more like a family, with younger students feeling welcomed and older students setting an example. “As well as them all having a blast together at games and competitions.”

Prague drum major, Audra Provaznik, has received numerous positive comments from judges at both contests the marching band competed in this season, according to Moll, winning Outstanding Drum Major in 3A Maroon at the Ironhead Invitational Marching Festival on Sep. 30. Provaznik went on to place top three in the finals. The Pride of Prague placed third in their class and 10th overall at Ironhead.

“They really locked in when it came down to our last couple of rehearsals before regionals, and that work paid off,” Moll said.

The Pride of Meeker Bulldog Band scored Average ratings at the regional competition.