Marching Huskies ‘win’ at ACCs
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HERSHEY -- The Mifflin County High School Huskies Marching Band learned a valuable lesson Sunday night -- that they don't always have to finish first to win.
The Marching Huskies wrapped up its 2023 season at the Tournament of Bands (TOB) Group 3 Open Class Atlantic Coast Championship Series competition at HersheyPark Stadium in Hershey.
Mifflin County finished seventh in the field, with a score of 91.70 with a record-breaking performance.
Mifflin County High School Director of Bands Art Belfiore said, "The band had their best performance of the season in the biggest event of the year. As we were warming up for the night, I could tell they were ready, and they delivered in a big way."
Belfiore said Mifflin County was the smallest and youngest band on the field -- marching 56 musicians and seven seventh-graders). None of that mattered as the Huskies set another record with their highest placement at ACCs in the history of Mifflin County.
The previous high was a 14th-place showing by the 2013 Mifflin County High School Marching Band.
Beyond that, the band met and exceeded both the staff and students' goals for the year, Belfiore added.
He explained, "We talk to the band about the difference between 'winning' and finishing 'first.' After each performance, I ask the band who had a good or their best or bad or worst performance of the year.
"When we met after coming off the field, every student - with the exception of one - said they had either a good or best performance. That is how we define 'winning.' The band has gotten better each week of the season, and they have all grown to be better musicians, marchers, guard members and people."
The band's accomplishments this season speak for themselves: seventh consecutive TOB Susquehanna Valley Region 4 Championship; second consecutive TOB Pennsylvania State Championship; and highest placement at TOB Group 3 Open Class Atlantic Coast Championship Series in school history.
Just in case you think the band and staff get a break, think again. Belfiore said, "We will meet over the next week to plan next year's show, and the indoor season begins this week."