24 young musicians debuted with Medina’s new Mini Mustang Band

Provided photo: The Mini Mustang Marching Band was formed to allow fifth- and sixth-graders to become familiar with marching band before they become eligible to join the Mustang Marching Band in seventh grade. They are shown by the Olde Pickle Factory before the Memorial Day parade a week ago.

MEDINA – A new group of musicians has joined the band program at Medina High School – the Mini Mustang Marching Band.

Two music teachers – Andrea Busch, music teacher at Oak Orchard School, and Kyla Leno-Denise, assistant band director at the Junior-Senior High School – worked together to start the Mini Mustang Marching Band this year.

“Kyla and I wanted to find a way to get young students excited about marching band,” Busch said. “This gives them the opportunity to try it out before they are eligible to join the Mustang Marching Band in seventh grade.”

She said fifth and sixth grade students were invited to join, and 24 signed up.

“We didn’t know what to expect, this being the first year,” Busch said. “We are hopeful more will become involved next year.”

The Mini Band has already performed for their parents on a special preview night and in Medina’s Memorial Day Parade. Parents are also welcome to come to rehearsals to see what students do. They will perform again at Oak Orchard Elementary School and Wise Junior High on Flag Day.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Mini Mustang Marching Band heads down main Street and gets ready to make the turn on East Center Street during the Memorial Day parade.

The Mini and regular Mustang Marching Band got to perform their spring shows for each other during warmup for the Memorial Day Parade.

“It was a wonderful moment to see the high school students supporting the younger students, and then to see the younger students in awe of the older students,” Busch said. “We hope this helps build excitement in our music program and encourage more kids to join the Mustang Marching Band when they are finally old enough.”

“They are not a competitive group,” Busch said of the Mini Marching Band. “This just gives them a platform to have fun and perform before a crowd before joining a competitive group.”

The Mini Marching Band students practice from 5 to 6 p.m. two nights a week. Many have already signed up for fall marching band, Busch said.

“Kyla and I are so proud of the students,” Busch said. “We really are excited about their bright future with the regular Mustang Marching Band.”