BROOKINGS – The Brookings High School Marching Band earned the title of grand champion in its final competition of the season, Oct. 20 at the 2018 Quad State Marching Band Competition in Vermillion at the USD Dakota Dome.
The band earned an overall score of 92.775, the highest the Bobcats have ever received at the Quad State Competition. This is the second year in a row the Bobcats have won the title of grand champions. They also received the highest marks in music, color guard, overall effect, percussion and visual.
“This season has been a weekly succession of competing against highly dedicated musicians from across a four-state area,” said BHS Band Director Ron Stary. “This culmination of competitions for the marching band is a testament to their dedication to each other as a team and to continue improving the band routine they have chosen to perform. This was the time to finish on top.”
The competition on Oct. 20 was divided into two classes. The Open Class is for seasoned ensembles that demonstrate expanded skill sets. Those bands are judged on a scale supporting intermediate to advanced skills. A Class bands are ensembles that demonstrate a basic to intermediate skill set and are so judged.
Brookings is in the Open Class category because of its choice of music, marching drills and difficulty. Ensemble sizes are determined by the number of performers on the field, not by the number of students enrolled in the school. Brookings was in Class V, with performers numbering 96 to 130.
“The hours of dedication to perfecting the music, routine and marching precision starts in June,” Stary said. “These students choose to spend part of their summer and then mornings and evenings when school starts to perfect their performance. These students are truly grand champions in every sense of the word. Now doesn’t that make it all worthwhile? Too many people are afraid of a little time and dedication. If people are worried about the next generation, come meet the active students at BHS!”
The public is invited to the final marching band performance at the Indoor Show at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at the Jostad Gym. This performance is the community’s final chance to appreciate the time, talents and dedication these students willingly put into bringing honor to the Brookings Band program.
Normal activity fees apply, and activity tickets will be accepted.
