Mustang Rally’s Newest Feature

When you arrive at Mustang Rally 2025, you’ll notice something new: the sounds of live music, the buzz of performances in full swing, and the energy of a true festival atmosphere. It’s all happening at The Rally Stage, a brand-new addition to Mustang Rally’s lineup—and it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting new traditions yet.

For the first time in Mustang Rally history, the all-day, all-fun, all-community carnival will feature a full lineup of live entertainment on a dedicated stage by the Horseshoe on Upper Campus. Students from Lower, Middle, and Upper School will take the stage throughout the day, alongside faculty and staff performers, showcasing an exciting mix of singing, playing, acting, and even a Masked Singer competition.

Learning by Doing

The Rally Stage isn’t just about putting on a show—it’s a full immersion experience in what it takes to create, design, and produce a major live event.

“This has been a full team effort,” says Mark Gallegos, Music/Recording Instructor and Rally Stage Director. “The students are involved in everything—the scheduling, the set-up, the sound checks, the costume design. They’re learning how much work happens before the first note is even played.”

Students have committed to multiple rehearsals, organized run-of-show schedules, assisted with setting up and running sound equipment, and even learned how to promote an event to an audience. They’ve also had the chance to experiment with creative roles behind the scenes, from designing costumes for the Masked Singer contest to helping create the set list.

Creativity Takes the Stage

Senior Dareen Cheong, along with juniors Eden Seib, Katie Day Schwartz, and Claire Schwartz have been in charge of costume design for the Masked Singer contest. “It’s been amazing to see their ideas come to life,” says Gallegos. “They’re thinking about every detail—how the costumes look from the stage, how the performer can move in them, how it fits the theme. It’s truly professional-level thinking.”

Dareen Cheong, who recently won a costume design award at the Georgia Thespian Conference, shared, “I love seeing how design can tell a story even before the music starts. It’s exciting to know the audience will be trying to guess who’s behind each costume.”

The Rally Stage also gives performing students a platform to build confidence, stretch creatively, and share their passions with a full community audience.

“At Mount Vernon, we talk about finding your voice,” says Gallegos. “This is a literal version of that. Whether you’re singing, playing, acting, designing, or running the soundboard—you’re contributing your voice to something bigger.”

A Day Full of Performances

Rally-goers can expect a packed schedule of performances featuring everything from vocal ensembles to sneak peeks of the Middle School’s upcoming production of The Addams Family. The Rally Stage schedule includes:

Friday, April 25 Rally Stage Schedule
11:45 am – 12:15 pm | Upper School Ensemble
12:15 – 12:45 pm | Stangs
12:55 pm | Middle School Addams Family Musical Preview
1:00 – 1:45 pm | Masked Singer Contest
1:45 – 2:00 pm | Lower School Singers
2:00 – 2:30 pm | Middle School Band

The Masked Singer contest invites Rally attendees to vote for their favorite disguised performer—a true community event where everyone gets to participate in the fun.

Building a New Mustang Rally Tradition

The Rally Stage marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of Mustang Rally—transforming what began as a few pop-up performances into a fully integrated, student-powered experience. From the spotlight to the sound booth and from costume design to event promotion, students are taking the lead in every corner of the production. This thoughtfully designed addition invites learners to flex their creative muscles, collaborate across divisions, solve complex challenges, and engage in hands-on experiences that mirror professional event planning and execution. It’s not just a new feature—it’s a launchpad for new talents, new leaders, and a new tradition at Mount Vernon.“We want students to leave Mustang Rally this year feeling proud of what they accomplished—not just because they performed, but because they helped build something from the ground up,” says Gallegos.

“I hope the Rally Stage becomes something students look forward to every year,” says Eden Seib, one of the costume designers. “It’s a chance for all kinds of talents to shine, not just the ones you usually see on stage.”

So grab your lawn chair, find a spot in front of The Rally Stage, and enjoy an afternoon of performances that celebrate the Mount Vernon community’s energy, talent, and creativity.

With Mustang Rally 2025 right around the corner, head HERE or the button below for all the things you need to know!

Learn More about Mustang Rally 2025