UPDATE: The Mustang High School Marching Band can now make it to the Bands of America Grand National Championships thanks to an assist from a couple local school districts.
The marching band had no way of getting to the Grand National Championships after US Coachways canceled the band’s seven-bus rental on Tuesday.
The Grand National Championships will be held in Indianapolis, Ind., from Nov. 11-13, and the marching band did not have a backup transportation option to get there.
The band received a large outpouring of support from community members and other schools, and now they have a way to Indianapolis.
The band will travel to the competition in buses provided by Mid-Del Public Schools and Yukon Public Schools.
The school district issued the following statement on Wednesday:
Mustang Families,
As you may have heard, our Mustang High School Marching Band has had some difficulty in finding transportation to the Bands of America Grand National competition after our original transportation company fell through. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support whether it be volunteers, thoughts/prayers, or simply sharing our story. We are pleased to say that thanks to the efforts of many (please see our District @MustangSchools Facebook page for a list), our Band will be travelling to Indianapolis on buses from Mid-Del Public Schools and Yukon Public Schools. We will, however, also be using Mustang buses and our drivers will be assigned to all of the buses for this trip. This will likely have an impact on pickup/delivery times for our bus routes on Thursday and Friday of this week. If possible, it may help with potential delays if those who are able could transport their own children to school on those two days. We are asking for your patience and understanding as we work to make this dream for our band students into a reality. Again, we want to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to make this happen; this has restored our faith in humanity. It is amazing what we can accomplish when everyone works together toward a common goal; we are truly better together!
MUSTANG PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The school district gave special thanks to the following schools, businesses and individuals:
- Mid-Del Public Schools
- Yukon Public Schools
- Edmond Public Schools
- Moore Public Schools
- Westville, OK Schools
- Bethany High School Senior Class
- Edmond Santa Fe Band
- Putnam City Public Schools
- Putnam City High School Band
- OAI Aero
- Rogers Worldwide Transportation
- Bob Rogers Travel
- Summit Tour & Travel, Inc.
- Royal Limos
- Representative Bryan Hill
- All American Bank
- Allegiant Air
- First Baptist Church – Mustang
Original Story
MUSTANG, Okla. (KFOR) – The Mustang High School band needs help, left now with no way to travel to the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
School officials tell KFOR the band was set to head for Indianapolis late Wednesday night.
But their charter bus contractor, US Coachways, canceled the seven-bus rental Tuesday afternoon, leaving no backup options.
The school has been scrambling to find a replacement, reaching out to companies as far away as Illinois and New Mexico, but to no avail.
Ryan Edgmon, Mustang Schools Director of Bands, is asking anyone who can help to come forward.
“We are working to try to transport 330 people to Indianapolis, Ind.; 290 students with about 40 adults, staff and chaperone,” he explained. “The kids have put in literally hundreds of hours of rehearsal over the course of about 14 weeks, putting these shows together.”
News 4 has reached out to US Coachways for comment, but has not heard back.
Update! Here is the latest Facebook post from the band.
Those who are able to help are asked to email: MERCCONTACT@MUSTANGPS.ORG or EDGMONR@MUSTANGPS.ORG.
