BRANSON, Mo. — Fifteen marmaton Valley High School band students were in Branson on June 2 to open for the Haygoods, one of the region’s most popular musical acts.
“We’ve looked forward to this trip all year, and our Branson experience exceeded expectations,” instructor Janelle Allee said. “The kids had a blast.”
Marmaton Valley High School’s Mason Ferguson, standing, performs a solo alongside Marmaton Valley High School bandmates Clara Ferguson, from left, Tyler Borth, Case Drake and Jaren Curl in Branson, Mo., June 2.
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Kooper Welch, left, and Mason Ferguson pose for a photo more than 500 feet below the entrance at Marvel Cave in Silver Dollar City during the Marmaton Valley High School band trip to Branson, Mo., June 2.
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Raylan Preston, left, and Aubrie Heskett perform on the alto sax for Marmaton Valley High School’s band in Branson, Mo., June 2.
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Marmaton Valley High School’s Brendon Newman, left, and Thomas Allee enjoy an amusement park ride at Silver Dollar City during the brand trip to Branson, Mo., June 2.
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Thomas Allee performs on the drums during Marmaton Valley High School’s band performance in Branson, Mo., June 2.
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Marmaton Valley High school band students perform under the direction of Janelle Allee at Branson June 2.
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Marmaton Valley High school band students perform under the direction of Janelle Allee at Branson June 2.
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Marmaton Valley High school band students perform under the direction of Janelle Allee at Branson June 2.
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Marmaton Valley High School band students pay a visit to Silver Dollar City, one of their activities while they were in Branson to perform June 2.
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The students were required to send an audition tape, which obligated them to play in tune, display precision in the music’s execution, and add a sense of stage presence and energy.
The Haygoods family is among the high-profile acts in Branson, where five brothers and one sister perform hit songs across multiple genres, constantly switching instruments while surrounded by various lighting and visual effects. They perform at Branson’s Clay Cooper Theatre.
The students’ Branson trip also included a visit to Silver Dollar City.
“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” Alee said. “These young musicians have worked hard all year, and have continuously improved. I absolutely love our band family and am truly blessed to know the caring, respectful and unique personalities of each and every one of them.”
