News : From black & gold to crimson & white: VS band alums play for ISU

As they do every Saturday in the fall, Jeremy McBride and Rachael Larkin and other members of the ISU Marching Band spend a lot of time getting ready for a halftime show during an Iowa State University home football game. The picture ccompanying this story shows them in Ames for the ISU vs. Utah contest earlier this year.

The two are alumni of Vinton-Shellsburg High School, where they played in the band all four years of high school.

"I am thrilled and so very proud to see our VSHS band alumni continue on their instruments in college," said VSHS Band Director Karl Smith. "Rachael and Jeremy did such a terrific job in high school, and it is great to see them achieve so much in college."

Smith said he has been privileged to watch many VSHS band members extend their careers into college.

"We have so many V/S band alumni that are pursuing degrees in music, or that are participating in instrumental musical ensembles," he said. "I try to attend some of their collegiate performances, but I also enjoy seeing them when we attend the honor bands. I know that the current high school band students really take an interest in hearing about their past experiences in high school band and their experiences and opportunities in college. I have been so fortunate to be able to teach such great students in my years here at Vinton-Shellsburg High School."

Jeremy's parents are Clayton and Melissa McBride; Rachel is the daughter of Brian and Sara Larkin.

Rachael changed her major to math education, so she will have a fifth year of college. She has played in the band for each of her first four years at ISU. "She loves it," said her father, Brian. "It's been a great experience; she's had lots of opportunities." Jeremy is in his second year in the band. He plays the euphonium. "He really enjoyed it," said his mother Melissa. "His favorite part was going to the Insight.com Bowl in Arizona last year." To be selected for the band, a musician must submit an audition tape. The band travels with the football team to nearby games -- Iowa and Kansas State this year. They would also go to a bowl game, should the Cyclones be selected for a post-season game. "It’s kind of cool to have two VSHS band alums in a band at the college level – especially that particular band. They are amazing if you haven’t seen them," says Melissa McBride.