Members of the Montezuma-Cortez High School marching band organized an impromptu concert Wednesday at Parque de Vida after they learned the school district canceled their trip to compete at the state tournament in Pueblo because of pandemic concerns.
About 50 supporters gathered to hear the band play for about 30 minutes.
Concert organizer and senior Brooklyn Harper said band members felt it was important to perform one more time for the community after the school district nixed their final appearances at Panther stadium Friday and their state competition performance set for Monday.
“We wanted to get together and show our appreciation for the community. We worked hard all year and did not want to go out without a final performance, especially for the seniors,” Harper said.
The Re-1 Montezuma-Cortez school district canceled all extracurricular activities because of the COVID-19 spike. All district schools have gone to remote learning, and hundreds of students are in quarantine.
When the marching band learned yesterday they could not travel and participate in the state tournament, it was “heartbreaking,” said band member Amber Hebberd. “Going to state is a great opportunity to show everyone what we have been practicing all this time.”
The state marching band tournament starts this weekend. M-CHS was scheduled to perform on Monday.
The student-organized concert at the park was to have a final performance, but also served as a form of protest over the school district’s decision.
“The state competition is all outside. We will take whatever precautions necessary to be able to go, wear masks, social distance,” Harper said.
The band qualified for the state tournament during an earlier regional competition. It is ranked sixth out of 12 bands in their division.
After the park concert, the marching band held a Zoom meeting with school officials and Superintendent Risha VanderWey to try and negotiate a safe solution for the band to perform at the state competition.
Suggestions included taking additional precautions such as taking more buses so there are fewer students on each bus and booking more hotel rooms to reduce group size.
Harper said after the meeting it felt like there was a “slight chance” the band would be allowed to perform at state. A decision by the school district is expected soon, she said.
Parents also urged school leaders to find a solution allowing for the trip.
“They have put 342 hours of practice into this performance. Qualifying for state is a big deal for these kids, they want to show what they can do,” said parent Robin Hebberd. “I’m proud of the band putting on this concert, they are letting their voices be heard.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
