Band Does Well Again At Contests
Bringing back straight one’s again from the Mesquite Marching Invitational and the Little Elm Classic on the Lake, the Canton High School Mighty Eagle Band continue their tradition of being one of the top bands in the state.
For more than 12 years, CHS has participated in the Mesquite Invitational, and on October 3 they once again came back with high scores.
At the Little Elm contest on October 10, the band was up against 27 bands, the majority of which were 4A and 5A schools.
Canton took second place against the other 3A bands competing coming in behind last years gold medal state ranked Argyle.
"We did very well in 3A," Toups said. "However we would have loved to have beat Argyle."
Overall Canton came out 11
th out of all the competing 1A to 5A ranked schools.
Toups said the Little Elm contest is much like a state contest, although it has only been around for three years.
Last year, however, CHS was ranked seventh.
"We could have done better," Toups said. "But the crowd was much bigger. That is a huge stadium and I think that was intimidating."
"They are determined though," Toups said of his band as they prepare to head to state next week.
"You can take things for granted," Toups said about the bands confidence. "It’s always the same routine and it gets frustrating. It’s a challenge to get them motivated, but I think they will bounce back."
Toups went on to say he has great confidence in the band and expects them to come back with high scores following the state contest October 21.
"We are who we are. We do have our own standards and if we maintain our hard work we will continue to be the band to beat," Toups said.
On October 31, the band will head to the Northwestern State University (NSU) Marching Contest in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
At the NSU Contest, multiple states compete for a grand champion trophy which Canton has had the honor of receiving in the past.
"It’s a fun contest we try to do in our non-state years," Toups said.
Due to weather conditions this football season, the band has had very few opportunities to do their half-time show "Grease" for the public, but Toups said they are hoping to have a good night during the homecoming game this Friday and encourages the public to come out and support all the students.