On Saturday, October 25, the Monache Marauder Band returned to Selma for the 60th annual Selma Rotary Parade and Field Tournament, hosted by the California State Band Championships. Monache has a long and storied history with this event, having won numerous Parade Sweepstakes and Field Sweepstakes titles. The Marauders remain the winningest band in the history of the Selma Band Review, holding twenty-seven Grand Sweepstakes Championships.
Currently boasting more than 150 members, Monache competed in the Class 6A division for the parade competition. This year, the band performed The Loyal Legion by John Philip Sousa. Under the direction of longtime band director Justin Adams and assistant band director Richard Madrigal, the students delivered an outstanding performance that received high praise from the judging panel.
Monache also competed in Class 6A for the field tournament. On the field, the band performed its full show for the second time this season, following their performance the previous evening at the home football game against Golden West High School. Their 2025 field production, Viva la Carmen by John Fannin, is inspired by Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. The performance showcased the ensemble’s energy and musicality, with continued growth anticipated as they prepare for Finals in the coming weeks.
At the end of the evening, the students were thrilled by a surprise announcement during the awards ceremony. In the parade competition, Monache earned First Place in Class 6A. Among all participating bands, the Marauders also received Third Place Auxiliary, Second Place Percussion, High Music, and High General Effect. For the first time since 2017, Monache captured the Parade Sweepstakes Award, achieving the highest parade score of the day. The award was not initially announced at the ceremony, so students celebrated the exciting news later at their base camp at Jackson Elementary once the correction was made. In the field tournament, the band earned Third Place in Class 6A.
New color guard instructors Maile Sorg and Keyla Cantu, both Monache alumni, have done an outstanding job leading the color guard this season. Additionally, Monache alumnus Johnny Torres continues to be an invaluable part of the program, working diligently with the drumline and contributing to the group’s success.
The band extends its gratitude to the Monache High School administration, the Porterville Unified School District Governing Board and District Office, as well as the Monache Band Parent Association led by President Monica Rodriguez for their continued support.