If you’ve been following the 2024 IVC MARCHING GREY GHOSTS at all this year, you’ve seen a stellar program, week after week, entitled “Kaleidoscope Colors.” The band had an outstanding competition season, placing in several invitational competitions, including earning the esteemed title of GRAND CHAMPIONS at Dunlap’s Invitational.  They ended the season at U of I Champaign-Urbana in the Illinois State Competition with a FIRST PLACE SWEEP in every category!  (Best Music, Best General Effect , and Best Visual) and FIRST PLACE OVERALL CLASS 2A. 

The band of 115 members are led by Drum Majors Srs Trevor Blount,  Ella Hill, and Jr AJ Johnson. The performance featured solos by Srs Graysen Angelo/ Alto Sax, Lucas Dupont/ Maramba, Kal Miller/ Euphonium, Jrs Larry Nelson/ Euphonium, Gabriella Vinson/Vocalist, Maddie Hamilton/ Head Captain Guard, and Sophs Kyra Lynn/Flute, and Maddie Jones/ Guard. The MARCHING GREY GHOSTS are under the leadership of Matt Chapman, Valerie Mills, and Tom Cassidy with Aaron Mills (Battery Percussion), Matt Beckner (Front Ensemble Percussion), Delaney Lawson (Color Guard), David Fairchilds (Assistant Visual Coordinator), Mitch Santini (Brass Tech), and Eric Yarbrough (Sound Tech.) 

Each and every practice, performance, and competition would not be possible if not for the army of parents and support members. From loading and unloading equipment, sizing and repairing uniforms and props, providing food and drinks at each event,  assisting with hair and makeup, moving instruments, electronic equipment, and staging prop pieces on and off the field, or spearheading the caravan of buses, cars, trucks, trailers, and ATVs to each competition, these people are invaluable. A special thanks goes out to our IVC bus drivers who work their weekends to get the IVC MARCHING GREY GHOSTS safely to all their destinations. 

Thank you to everyone who financially or physically supported Chillicothe’s own 2024 STATE CHAMPION IVC MARCHING GREY GHOSTS this season, including the Chillicothe community, Chillicothe Fire, and Chillicothe Police for the exhilarating and heartfelt escort into town after the Illinois State competition win October 26th. It is definitely “A  GREAT DAY TO BE A GREY GHOST.”