Archives for February 18, 2026

 

Madison Southern High School Concert A 

 

Sometimes it’s good to have a little bit of “off the wall” fun by letting music guide yourself into a strange world of rhythm and dopamine. At least, that’s what John, a senior marimba player from Madison Southern High School’s Scholastic Concert A unit said after their energetic performance this past weekend: “[This show has] time signature changes… throughout all of it,” which are there, as senior electric guitarist Hiram adds, “…to be fun [and show] change and progress,” a theme keeping in line with the show’s name “I Can Change” and chosen song “Game of Nill” by Mexican Slum Rats. 

It only makes sense this would be their show’s concept, as much has changed for the small unit: this is their first time performing together in two years. Kayleen, a vibraphonist and fellow senior who has been performing for seven years, comments, “For, like, two years we haven’t really been around each other… just this group, so it’s fun to play [together again].” Hiram, who has been strumming since he was a sophomore, adds, “It’s just like the last chance I’ll get to perform with a bunch of people. It’s nice to get back out there.” After five years performing, John shares their sentiment: “It’s just fun playing [together]…. It’s been a couple years since I’ve done that.” 

 

Hiram (left) Kayleen (center) John (right) Photos by Bailey Griffin, TMA Media

 

As they look towards the remaining TMA season, in love with the people’s reactions and their show’s nearly open-ended concept, they can not wait to, “In the theme of the show, just [see] the changes… [and] how crazy it can get,” as Hiram says. Kayleen adds that she wants to “See how it goes… [and meet] a bunch of new people,” while John plans to “…progress on the show and… do a lot of things with it.” 

 

Paul Laurence Dunbar HS – JV

 

Crafting a performance—a face—for others to be enthralled by and gawk at is one of the key joys that comes with any performance, but especially Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Junior Varsity show, In Their Natural Hopitat. As junior Amir, who has been performing for two years, says, “It’s the face [performance]… that’s my favorite part.” Sophomore Rachel adds that in all of her 3 years performing, not only has she loved watching other shows, but also experiencing the unchanging atmosphere of support which comes packaged with every competition: “When you walk down a hall, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, you look so good! Good luck!’ and you didn’t even have to do anything.” Another sophomore, Taryn, shares the same thought after two years: “I like the people. The vibe here is very bright.” 

 

Amir (left) Rachel (center) Taryn (right) Photos by Bailey Griffin, TMA Media

 

Dunbar’s show is also very bright and a fun exploration of nature’s quiet intensity that Rachel says, “[Is] very easy to get into character with…, because it’s not terribly hard to figure out what you’re doing: you’re a frog. You put a smile on your face and hop around… it’s really fun.” It has an energy unmatched and a joyfulness that radiates from every performer equally as Taryn adds, “I like the fact that all the energy that comes from every single performer [is felt].” Standing in the audience, she is right: that game-day exhilaration at every rifle toss and flag feature is really felt.

Looking forward, these three view the remaining season as a chance for their show to grow into something even more animated. Amir says that he can not wait to “[try] new things, like more new tosses.” Taryn adds, “[I’m most excited for] getting the whole show out and then just watching everybody be even more excited about it than they already are.” Rachel can not wait to “[get] the rest of the show down,” but also, in a very Tri-State way, is equally excited to “watch the other shows as they progress. That’s one of my favorite parts: to see how much a guard can grow from their first competition to championships,” and we know, at Tri-State, that the growth of PLD’s JV will be exponential and can not wait to enjoy it, too.

 

Madison Central HS – Varsity

 

Dramatic, chaotic, constantly changing, while beautifully engaging are the only adjectives I can give to the home unit’s varsity show, The Piano That Plays. It is a story of music’s enthrallment. Kamryn, a senior who has been performing for four years, loves the narration and its engagement with the crowd: “My favorite part is definitely performing and being able to tell a story. I like impacting people, and I think it’s really fun to get their reactions.” Kaydee, another senior who has been performing alongside Kamryn for four years, is glad to see the support from everyone to new-comers and graduates: “I love meeting all the new people that come through the program and [seeing] all the support from everyone inside the program.” 

Yet, this love is bittersweet, for it is impossible to stay in such a supportive and simultaneously competitive environment for ever. As Kamryn positively recollects, realizing the short time she will have left with Madison Central, “My show means a lot to me because this is my senior year, and I’m very proud of how much work I’ve put into it. I’m very proud of the show I’m ending on.” Kaydee makes a similar comment: “I think that this show that we have this year is a lot different from our past shows. I feel like we’re doing things that we never thought we could do and going places we never thought we could go, and it’s just nice to see all the growth we’ve had throughout the years.” 

Kaydee (left) Kamryn (right) Photos by Bailey Griffin, TMA Media

It seems like the season is ready for Madison Central as they put more time into their show and perfect it slowly. Kamryn says, “I’m really excited to perform our final show and be able to put just an amazing end product out into the world,” and we, at Tri-State Marching Arts, are excited to see it. Keep it up and thank you for hosting!

 

by Landon Ashcraft, TMA Media

Landon Ashcraft is a high school senior

from Florence, Kentucky, who loves to

spend his time writing, reading, making

music, and exploring nature.