General Information

The Marching Bloodhounds are an innovative, energetic, and highly successful ensemble that strives for excellence at various performances including competitive marching festivals, halftime at our home football games, competitive parades, and national festivals among others. Through a focus on continued improvement in individual artistry, musicianship, and movement, the finished product is a field show and parade routine that has thrilled audiences and earned accolades across the globe.

Membership

The marching band program is open and available to any Fort Madison High School student who wishes to pursue involvement in the pageantry arts as a musician or member of our Color Guard. Involvement in sports and other school activities DOES NOT prevent a student from performing with the band. As long as a fair compromise to honor student commitments to band and other activities are achieved, a student can be in multiple activities and band. We have had students involved with other groups outside of band including Varsity Football, Cheerleading, Dance Team, DECA, NHS, and plenty more. If you want to be a part of the band, and your willing to compromise, we will make it work.

Enrollment in the Concert or Symphonic Band is required for all instrumentalist in order to participate in the Marching Band program.

Rehearsal Expectations

Occasional summer rehearsals beings in late July, leading up to a full week of band camp in early August. Summer rehearsals conclude prior to the start of the school year. Once school has begun the band rehearses every weekday starting 7:30am and continues through first period. Involvement in the marching band is a trimester-long corse for a grade. All rehearsals are mandatory details for excused absences are highlighted in the Band Handbook.

2021 Achievements

Tri-State Rodeo Parade - 1st Place

Mount Pleasant Invitational - 3rd Place in Division (Field of 7)

Ottumwa Oktoberfest Parade - 1st Place in Division, 2nd Place Overall

Ottumwa Oktoberfest Drum Line Battle - 1st Place

Muscatine Marching Invitational - 5th Place (Field of 9)

Quincy Field Show - 1st in Class. 1st in State. Silver Award

IHSMA State Contest (Davenport West) - Division I Rating

2020 Achievements

We survived! Only one competition this year due to the pandemic, but we managed to put a full show on the field to entertain our fans at halftime, and submitted a recording the IHSMA State Marching Band Field Show.

IHSMA State Marching Band Field Show - Superior Rating of I

2019 Achievements

Fort Madison Rodeo Parade - 1st in Class

Ottumwa Percussion Competition - 2nd Place

Davis County Field Show - 2nd Place

Clark County Parade of Bands - 1st Place

Clark County Field Show - 2nd Place

Quincy Field Show - Outstanding Iowa Band, Medium School Band - 1st Place, Artistry Division - 2nd Place

IHSMA State Marching Band Field Show - Superior Rating of I