The Mattawan Marching Band consists of students from grades 9-12 and is the most visible ensemble of the Mattawan Bands. The Mattawan Marching Band is a member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) and competes in the Scholastic Marching Band (SMB) circuit. The marching band is classified as a class A school and competes against other class A and AA schools from across the state.

 

In the fall the marching band performs at home football games, the Mattawan homecoming parade, the MSBOA District XI Marching Festival, and usually four competitions in the SMB circuit. In the spring the band travels to Holland to perform in the Holland Tulip Time Festival’s “Muziekparade.” Every four years the marching band travels to Disney World to perform in the premier “Disney Performing Arts OnStage” parade down Main St. USA in the Magic Kingdom.

Mattawan Bands
2018 Mattawan Marching Band @ Rockford Invitational

The marching band is not an auditioned group except for the drumline, colorguard, and student leadership positions. The marching band marches every instrument except oboe and bassoon. Student’s that play these instruments are given the choice to play a secondary instrument (usually the instrument they started on in sixth grade) or to join the sideline percussion or colorguard.

 

The Mattawan Marching Band has a rich tradition of excellence and is one of the most decorated organizations on campus. The marching band has received a Division I rating (the highest rating) at the MSBOA marching festival for 38 straight years (since 1979). At marching competitions, the band regularly finishes at the top of their class and have been named “Grand Champions” or overall champion on numerous occasions. In addition to these placement awards, the band regularly wins caption awards for best music, marching, percussion, colorguard, and drum majors. At the Holland Tulip Time “Muziekparade” the Mattawan Marching Band has been chosen every year since 2000 to be featured as one of three “premier bands” that perform in a special pre-parade performance for the crowd.