GENTRY, AR — The Pride of Gentry, Gentry High School's award-winning marching band, is taking the field this fall with its 2026 marching show, “Icarus,” a powerful production based on the Greek myth of a young man whose ambition leads him to fly too close to the sun.
The band’s 2026 show, “Icarus,” tells the story of the young man from Greek mythology who ignores his father’s warning and flies too close to the sun. As the heat melts the wax holding his wings together, Icarus falls to his tragic death.
Through music and visual performance, The Pride of Gentry will bring that story to life throughout the 2026 marching season.
The production features music from Avatar: The Last Airbender, “One Day I’ll Fly Away” from Moulin Rouge, “Lux Aeterna” from Requiem for a Dream, as well as original music by Luke McMillan.
“Our students have put so much time, energy and heart into bringing ‘Icarus’ to life,” said Ruby Contreras, Gentry’s band director. “What makes me most proud is seeing how much this program has grown and watching our students grow with it. We have more students participating, more opportunities for them to perform, and a real sense of pride in what they’re building together. I’m excited for our community to see what these students have accomplished.”
This year’s production comes as the Gentry band program continues a period of significant growth.
The high school band has increased from 41 students in 2023 to 60 students in 2026. The program’s color guard has also doubled in size, growing from six members in 2023.
That growth begins at the middle school level, where beginner band enrollment has consistently remained in the 40s. More than 80 percent of students have continued from sixth to seventh grade, helping create a strong pipeline into the high school program.
This year, 60 students are participating in the seventh- and eighth-grade band program. That growth has allowed the program to divide those students into two concert bands. If current enrollment trends continue, the seventh- and eighth-grade program could grow to approximately 75 students next school year.
While enrollment numbers are one measure of the program’s growth, the impact extends beyond the numbers.
Music programs provide students opportunities to develop discipline, teamwork, creativity, confidence and perseverance while becoming part of something larger than themselves. For many students, band also becomes an important source of connection and belonging throughout their school experience.
The Pride of Gentry will have several opportunities to perform its “Icarus” production during the fall, including marching competitions and assessments throughout Northwest Arkansas.
The 2026 schedule includes:
• October 3 — Devil Dog Classic at Morrilton High School
• October 13 — Region VI Marching Assessment at Rogers High School
• October 17 — West Fork Invitational at West Fork High School
• October 31 — Northwest Arkansas Invitational at Siloam Springs High School
• November 2, 3 or 4 — State Marching Contest at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The exact performance date will be determined closer to the contest.
For The Pride of Gentry, the 2026 season represents more than a new show. It is another step in the continued growth of a music program that is giving more Gentry students the opportunity to perform, compete, create and grow together.
As the story of Icarus reminds us, ambition can carry us to great heights. For the students of The Pride of Gentry, the goal this fall is to see just how high they can fly, Contreras said.