Mire Marching Band selected to perform at Branson

By Lisa Soileaux

The 2013-2014 Mire Marching Band is making history once again by performing in Branson, Missouri.

The Mire Marching Band has the distinction of being the first school band from Louisiana to be selected to perform in Branson.

The vast majority of bands chosen by Branson are high school bands. Branson rarely selects elementary bands.

The band will get to perform not once, but twice during their trip. Their first performance is slated at the Clay Cooper Theatre the evening of May 11th. The second will take place at the Acrobats of China the evening of May 12th.

The band will complete a performance with two different themes while in Branson, (1) Louisiana and (2) Patriotic. The band will play a New Orleans-style funeral procession and traditional second line.

The Mire Marching Band will be the first band in which Clay Cooper will actually come on stage and sing with as they play “Jambalaya.”

Other noteworthy performances by the Mire Marching Band have included:

- Two marching performances at Disney World in April of 2013 and May of 2012;

- The Great Race in Crowley;

- Marching parades in Rayne, Carencro, Lafayette, Crowley and Houma;

- Veteran Day programs;

- Christmas programs; and 

- 2012 opening ceremony for Special Olympics in Carencro.

The band will present their Branson performance on Sunday, May 4, at the Rice City Theater in Crowley betwee 3-4:30 p.m. The public is invited and urged to attend. Admission is free.

Under the direction of Band Director Michael K. Magee, drum majors are Kaitlyn Barron (Drum Major, Mire) and Jade Louivere (Drum Major, Branch).

Band members are Hannah Barron - flute (RHS); Nicholas Barron - percussion; Mia Benoit - flute (LHS); Gavin Berard - trumpet; Lauren Bernard - trumpet; Jacob Billings - trumpet; William Billings - trumpet; Taylor Breaux - flute; Kameron Broussard - trumpet & Pe-Du; Braedon Butler - alto saxophone; Emily Cahanin - flute; Blake Campbell - trumpet; Monzie Carter - percussion; Baylee Cary - clarinet; Leah Colson - trumpet; Kianna Cormier - flute; Ali Delahoussaye - Lady Liberty; Reid Dejean - trumpet (RHS); Abbie Gala - Honorary Pillow; Seth Gaudin - Yankee Doodle Dandy; Heath Gillard - percussion; Alexis Hayes - clarinet; Madison Heins - clarinet; Nathan Heins - percussion; Christian Hoffpauir - percussion; Brianna Huynh - clarinet; Joel Leger - trumpet (RHS); Collin Linscomb - trumpet; Mason Matte - baritone; Meghan Matlock - percussion; Lindsi Meche - clarinet; Blaze Miller - baritone; Kamren Moss - trumpet; Mary Pepper - clarinet; Kainan Prejean - percussion; Gracie Quebedeaux - clarinet; Alex Richard - percussion; Emile Richard - low brass; Eric Richard - trumpet; Cayne Romero - trumpet; Lauren Schexnider - baritone; Justin Simon - tuba (RHS); Avery Sturgis - clarinet; and Ian Zaunbrecher - alto sax.