Madison Reporter

Middleton High School’s marching band and color guard have started their 2025-2026 season with the annual summer band camp. Nearly 200 students are preparing for a series of competitions, including events at Waukesha North on September 21, Stoughton on October 5, Sauk Prairie Marching Invite on October 12, and the Wisconsin School Music Association State Championships at UW-Whitewater on October 18.

“We’re excited to start this season with the momentum we built by winning the 2024 Wisconsin state championship,” said band director Eric Rothacker. “Everyone worked incredibly hard last year, and we know we need to work even harder this season to see continued success. We couldn’t do it without our strong student leaders and the amazing staff and volunteers supporting their work.”

The group recently won the state title in 2024 and received awards for Best Musical Performance as well as Best Color Guard for three consecutive years.

During summer camp, students participate in rehearsals tailored to each section, full ensemble drills, and other activities designed to prepare them for fall competitions. The band and color guard will also perform at two home football games at Borden Athletic Complex on September 12 and September 19, along with an appearance in the homecoming parade on September 17.

This year’s show theme is Cleared For Take Off, which pays tribute to consumer travel history. The program will include music from U2, George Gershwin, and Christopher Tin. The performance will feature an actual airplane prop on the field.

In addition to Rothacker, leadership includes band directors Doug Brown and Michael Ver Voort; color guard coaches Kasey Graff and Madeline Holman; percussion coaches Patrick Coughlin, Hayli Lavallee, Sebastiaan de Waart, and Charlie Fenske; as well as staff members Darlayne Coughlin, Kelly Werth, Noah Brockway, and Alaina Riley.

Student drum majors Haley Jodlowski, Asha Chakravartula, and Gavin Wiese conduct the band.

More information can be found through the Middleton Band Booster website.

“We’re excited to start this season with the momentum we built by winning the 2024 Wisconsin state championship,” said band director Eric Rothacker. “Everyone worked incredibly hard last year, and we know we need to work even harder this season to see continued success. We couldn’t do it without our strong student leaders and the amazing staff and volunteers supporting their work.”