Each Saturday during band season, the NW Vikings travel to competitions to perform their show. There are awards given for various categories: Drum Major, Percussion, Color Guard, Music, Visual Performance, and General Effect. Additionally, the bands are judged/scored in their respective classes (based on size/number of performers) and a Grand Champion is also named (the band with the highest overall score). Competition days are LONG: the kids arrive at school before 8:00 a.m. for a morning rehearsal before loading busses and driving to the competition site (which is often several hours away). They watch other bands perform, buy concessions, and hang out with friend before their evening performance. Parents/fans fill the stands and we love these Competition Saturdays. The awards ceremony concludes each competition, and by the time the Vikings return to school, it is after midnight.
Here's a look at several of our 2025 competition days:
Ledford Festival of Bands-Sept 27:
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| Morning rehearsal in the auditorium to review music |
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| Leah taking a prop onto the field |
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| First time conducting the show in competition performance |
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| Opening of "Mama Always Said" |
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| Leadership Team takes the field for the award ceremony |
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| Viking Band lined up in the background |
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| Drum Majors accepting their award |
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| Drum Major Salute |
North Lincoln Round Table Tournament- October 4:
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| Grand Champion Trophy |
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| Shadows of the Parent Paparazzi |
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| Exhausted and Happy: Post-midnight chat with Mr. Brooks after the competition |
(and they'll need a new trophy case for all those awards!)
South Caldwell Spartan Southern Classic- Oct 11:
Bassett, Virginia Drums Along the Blue Ridge- October 18:
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| Daytime Preliminary Performance- They advanced to finals! |
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| Evening Warm Ups: Their beautiful sound echoed off the tree line into the valley |
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| Mr. McMath came to watch and cheer on his Vikings! |
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| Seniors representing at the awards ceremony for their last competition |
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| Assistant Band Director Mr. C + Drum Majors |
These kids work incredibly hard. They spend months preparing their show- learning choreography, perfecting their marching technique, and refining even the smallest musical details. Their dedication shows in their excellence and in the many accolades, awards, and trophies they earn. However, much more important is the way they represent themselves and uphold the reputation of our band program with integrity and maturity. We watch them grow and change over the course of the season as they challenge themselves, work as a group to accomplish a common goal, and learn valuable life lessons. We are so proud of these kids and congratulate them on a successful and outstanding 2025 competition season!
