After a summer filled with organizational changes and uncertainty, the Montgomery County United Band & Guard capped its season with one of its strongest performances in the organization’s history, finishing 13th in the Indiana State Fair Band Day finals.
The Montgomery County United is a combined marching arts organization representing students from North Montgomery and Southmont schools. The organization was founded with a mission of building character and life skills through the marching arts in Montgomery County.
This summer, that mission was tested as MCU navigated significant organizational changes and adjustments to its rehearsal operations.
Despite those challenges, the students continued to rehearse, perform and grow throughout the summer, culminating in a strong showing at Indiana State Fair Band Day.
MCU’s 2026 production, “Shadows & Silk,” featured music from Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. The production explored the idea of music bringing color and vibrancy into one’s life.
In preliminary competition, MCU earned a position in the Sweet Sixteen, advancing to the evening finals competition.
The band then delivered what co-director Andy Simpkins described as its best performance of the season.
“Getting to the finals was a huge accomplishment for these students, especially considering everything we had to navigate this summer,” Simpkins said. “But once we got on the field for finals, they were completely focused. They went out there and gave us the performance we had been working toward all summer.”
MCU entered finals ranked 15th and moved up two positions to finish 13th overall.
For co-director Elizabeth Newnum, the final result was about more than a number on a scoreboard.
“I’m incredibly proud of how these students responded to the challenges we faced this year,” Newnum said. “There were plenty of moments when things were uncertain, but the students kept showing up and kept working. That says a lot about their character.”
The organization also relied heavily on support from the Montgomery County community throughout the season.
Following organizational changes, MCU partnered with First Baptist Church in Crawfordsville, which graciously provided a location for the band’s summer rehearsals.
“We are extremely grateful to First Baptist Church for opening its doors to us,” Simpkins said. “Having a place where our students could rehearse together was incredibly important. Their hospitality allowed us to keep moving forward during a season when there were a lot of unknowns.”
The MCU Band Boosters also played a significant role in supporting the organization throughout the season. Booster president Natasha Headdy, along with the booster organization and numerous parent volunteers, helped provide the resources and logistical support necessary to keep the program running.
“None of this happens without our parents and boosters,” Newnum said. “They are constantly behind the scenes making sure students have what they need, whether that’s helping with meals, transportation, equipment or all the little things that people may never see. Their support makes a tremendous difference.”
Simpkins echoed that appreciation.
“Our boosters have been absolutely tremendous this year,” he said. “Natasha Headdy has done an incredible job leading that group, and we are thankful for every parent and volunteer who invested their time in our students.”
The 13th-place finish represents another strong showing for MCU at Indiana State Fair Band Day. More importantly, Simpkins and Newnum believe the season demonstrated the resilience of the students involved.
“When you look back at the season, the thing I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily the 13th-place finish,” Simpkins said. “It’s seeing students from different schools come together, work through adversity and become a team. That’s really what Montgomery County United is all about.”
Newnum agreed.
“These students learned that success doesn’t always mean everything goes according to plan,” she said. “Sometimes success is adapting, supporting one another and continuing to move forward. I think they learned some pretty valuable life lessons this summer.”
MCU will continue its mission of developing students through the marching arts, bringing together students from across Montgomery County to perform, compete and grow together.
“Ultimately, we want these students to leave MCU as better people than when they started,” Simpkins said. “If we can help them develop confidence, discipline, teamwork and a sense of responsibility, then we’ve accomplished something much bigger than a placement at a contest.”
The 2026 season may have begun with uncertainty, but it ended with a performance the organization can be proud of — and a community that once again demonstrated its willingness to support its students.
