Rams march to state competition

Maricopa High School Marching Band advanced to the state championships at Glendale Community College Nov. 18.

It’s an exciting time for Band Director Ivan Pour and the Marching Rams’ 50 high school musicians.

“The kids have been just doing an awesome job this year,” Pour said. “Most of these kids started high school band during covid. I think this may be our comeback year from that.”

Pour has taught MHS bands for more than 15 years.

It is only the second time since 2010 that the Marching Rams have gone to the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association (ABODA) championships.

The band recently earned third place in semifinals, a rating of superior and a score of 79.913. The score was a program record for the highest overall score in any marching competition.

The band also won a Caption Award for outstanding auxiliary performance.

It was the first top-three finish at a state-level competition in program history.

Pour has been making sure the band is the best it can be.

“It’s the little things that matter at this point,” he said. “At this stage we’re talking about details and really refining details.”

Pour credited his support staff, including his assistant band director, Logan Harper, who is the band director at Desert Winds Middle School.

Pour also complimented percussionist Director Ben Faulkner, calling him “awesome” for his band support.

Other credit goes to Alyssa Harper, the band’s color guard director.

The Marching Rams will compete against Mesa and Barry Goldwater High Schools, which are seated in first and second, ahead of Maricopa.

“It’s a privilege competing with those schools in that kind of a showcase,” Pour said.