Mater Dei's Marching Band

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana presented the marching band at Mater Dei High School with the 2015 Ensemble Award on June 23.

Timothy Dickel, president and former band director at the westside Evansville school, nominated the marching band for the award.

Anne McKim, executive director of the arts council, said, “The Mater Dei Marching Wildcats Band has distinguished itself over the last nine years through a high level of community involvement and success at numerous local and state competitions.” 

She mentioned its numerous accomplishments, including its success at the Indiana State School Music Association Marching Band state finals. It was the only band from Evansville to qualify for the state finals since 1999. The band “has qualified five consecutive years and seven out of the last nine years,” she noted.

In accepting the award, Dickel thanked the band’s directors, Dan Klipper and Leslie Goth, as well as students and their families, and staff and volunteers. 

He said that in a time when participation in school music programs is largely declining, the Mater Dei marching band has “nearly doubled in size over the past 10 years.

“We are probably all aware that young people involved in fine arts often do not receive the recognition they deserve, so I would especially like to thank the arts council for recognizing one of the hardest-working groups of students I have ever encountered,” he said.

“These young people are extremely deserving of this honor, and I am confident it will inspire them to continue their pursuit of excellence.”