Skipper Marching Band
The largest and most visible ensemble of the Mandeville High Band Program
Dedication and Excellence
The Mandeville High School Marching Band has earned recognition for excellence in musical performance, marching precision, and visual presentation at competitions and festivals across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Through years of dedication and performance, the program has received numerous awards and honors that reflect the commitment of its students and directors.
One of the highest honors a band can receive at adjudicated marching festivals is a Sweepstakes Award, which is presented when a band earns top ratings from all judges. The Mandeville High School Marching Band has earned multiple sweepstakes recognitions and consistent “Superior” ratings for music, marching, and overall performance.
These awards demonstrate the band’s ability to perform at a high level in both musical and visual categories.
Over the years, the band has achieved strong placements and recognition at state and regional marching competitions.
2025 – “Hi-Score”
Runner-Up State Grand Champion
1st Place Visual Performance in state competition
2023 – “The Loop”
All Superior Ratings
Sweepstakes Award
2nd Place Percussion – Class AAAA
3rd Place Percussion – Overall
2022 – “Emotion Overload”
All Superior Ratings
Sweepstakes Award
Top 10 Finalist – 8th Place
2021 – “Divided”
All Superior Ratings
Sweepstakes Award
2019 – “Web of Lies”
5th Place Finalist
All Superior Ratings
Sweepstakes Award
Best Drum Major – Class AAAA
Best Drum Major – Overall
2018 – “Fly”
All Superior Ratings
Sweepstakes Award
Most Outstanding Soloist – Overall
2014 – “Gettysburg”
All Superior Ratings
Sweepstakes Award
Best Drum Majors – Class AAAA
2013 – “Afterworld”
Superior Ratings for Band, Guard, and Drum Major
Best Drum Major – Class AAAA
Most Outstanding Drum Major
Concert Ensembles
Symphonic Winds, Concert Winds, and Concert Band
The Concert Band Program at Mandeville High School has a long-standing tradition of musical excellence, performance achievement, and student growth. Serving a large and diverse group of student musicians, the program is structured into three primary ensembles—Symphonic Winds, Concert Winds, and Concert Band—allowing students to develop their skills while performing a wide range of wind band literature.
Each year, the ensembles prepare and perform challenging repertoire and participate in adjudicated performances through the Louisiana Music Educators Association District Large Ensemble Assessment. At these events, bands are evaluated by professional adjudicators on tone quality, balance and blend, musical interpretation, technical precision, and sight-reading ability.
The Mandeville High School concert bands have earned a strong reputation for consistent success at these assessments. Over many years, the ensembles have received numerous Superior ratings, the highest distinction awarded. The program has also earned multiple Sweepstakes Awards, which recognize ensembles that receive straight Superior ratings from every judge in both concert performance and sight-reading.
In addition to formal assessments, the concert bands perform in several concerts throughout the school year, providing students with valuable performance opportunities and allowing the community to experience the musicianship and dedication of the program. These performances feature a diverse repertoire ranging from traditional wind band works to contemporary compositions.
Through disciplined rehearsal, high musical standards, and a commitment to artistic growth, the Mandeville High School Concert Band Program continues to foster musicianship, leadership, and collaboration among its students. The program remains an important part of the school’s performing arts tradition and continues to build on its legacy of excellence year after year.
Jazz Bands
Man Overboard Big Band
The Mandeville High School Jazz Band, known as the Man Overboard Big Band, has long been one of the most exciting ensembles in the Mandeville High School band program. Combining talented student musicians with the rich tradition of big band jazz, the ensemble has built a reputation for musical excellence both locally and nationally. Including performance at the 2005 Midwest Clinic.
The jazz band draws its members from students involved in the school’s concert and marching bands. Students perform classic big band repertoire along with contemporary jazz arrangements while developing improvisation skills, musical expression, and ensemble performance techniques.
Through rehearsals, concerts, and festival performances, the group provides students with an opportunity to explore one of America’s most influential musical styles while representing Mandeville High School in the community.
Winter Guard
The Mandeville High School Colorguard is part of the larger Skipper Band program at Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. It functions as both a marching season guard in the fall with the marching band and an indoor winter guard in the spring.
Historically, the guard has evolved from a traditional flag unit that performs with the band into a full artistic performance ensemble that combines flag work, rifles, sabre, dance, storytelling, and movement – emphasizing both visual excellence and performance skills.
Indoor Percussion
The newest addition to the Mandeville Band Ensembles
Growing performance skills in a modern ensemble.
Beginning in the 2025 season, the Mandeville High Indoor Percussion has developed into an environment where students can grow their performance skills year round. Performing in the Magnolia Performing Arts Association Circuit, a WGI subsidiary, this ensemble is continuing to grow, and has a bright future ahead of them.
