Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 18, 2016, Page 12

Colin Zidlicky, or Mr. Z. as the students call him, is the newest band instructor after Greg Storhoff retired last year after 25 years at MACHS.

Mr. Z held an eight day band camp that worked on instrument playing, parade marching and also field marching.

"No one wanted to come at first," said Emma Mobley, co-captain for the band's color guard. "After the camp though, you can't even tell who we are now."

Zidlicky, a previous field marching judge, was able to give the students input that a real judge would during a competition. He stressed repetition during the practices and made them do formations over and over again until they looked better, giving the band members praise as the formations looked sharper and were better performed.

"Mr. Z is very professional and makes it easy for us to understand," said drum major Elsie Schaefer. "He's got done a wide range of musical studies which helps."

The students were happy to see that their work they put in was paying off, however they agreed they need to work more on their footwork.

The band has a short break before they head into the school year, though they agreed to come in early for practices the first three days of scholl before their first performance on Friday, August 26.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2017

  Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, September 22, 2016, Page 6

Colin Zidlicky started his first year teaching right here in Mount Ayr Community High School. Mr. Zidlicky is the new middle school and high school band and choir teacher.

He's fresh out of Simpson College, having graduated from Decorah High School before. He's only been in Mount Ayr for a matter of months, moving here in May of 2016.

When asked about his most embarrassing moment while teaching, he replied with "I don't really know, have I done something really embarrassing yet?" then asking to come back to the question later. When he came up with his answer, he said, "When I queued the band to start the 'Star Spangled Banner' and nobody started playing."

He feels that the best part of his job is "When parents or students come up and tell me they they've learned." When asked to give advice to students, he gave our marching band motto, "Good better best, never let it rest until your good is better, and your better is best."

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2017

  Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 17, 2016, Page 6

The Mount Ayr Community High School band, directed by Colin Zidlicy, held their winter performance Monday, December 12.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2017

  Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, April 20, 2017, Page 3

  Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 04, 2017, Page 18

Band Members Include:

Seniors: Cassie Brand, Laura Campbell, Breanne Haley, Mitchell Jennett and Ashton Sheil. Juniors: Mercadez Birkenholz, Logan Eaton, Addy Flammang, Will Hunt, Dylan McAlexander, Abbey Schafer, Katie Sickels, Mason Smith, MaiLynn Taylor, Lucas, Wurster, Kirsten Young, John Young and Will Young. Sophomores: Wesley Armstrong, Andrew Belzer, BrieAnn Byrd, Josh Cox, Amber Davison, Hannah Jackson, Paige Lynch, Emma Mobley, Samantha Schafer, Elsie Schafer, Lannie Sheil, Kylee Smith and Connor Swank. Freshman: Hanna Ackley, Kaley Adams, Madison Birkenholz, Kaitlyn Dolecheck, Jaylynn Ellis, Austin Greenland, Rachel Gregg, Tyler Jones, Reas Knapp, Cayden Lambert, Bailey Mastin, Jordan McAlexander, Jacob Rushing, Byanca Smith, Dalton Thomas, Joan Trujillo and Courtney Young.

Band Awards:

Southwest Iowa Bandmasters Honor Band: Lanie Sheil. Pride of Iowa Honor Band: BrieAnn Byrd, Emma Mobley, Kaley Adams, Hanna Ackley, Hannah Jackson, Lanie Sheil, Dylan McAlexander, Cassie Brand, John Young, Abbey Schafer, and Dalton Thomas. Division I Solo: Josh Cox. Outstanding Marcher: Breanne Haley. Clarinda Band Jamboree: 3rd Place Field Competition. Loess Hills: 2nd Place Field Competition. IHSMA State Marching: Division 2. IHSMA State Concert Band: TBA May 5. Worlds of Fun Festival of Music: TBA May 6. National John Phillip Sousa Award: Mitchell Jennett. Arion Award: Ashton Sheil. Concert Mistress Award: Samantha Schaefer. Distinguished Musical Valor Award: Lannie Sheil.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2017