Les Miserables show was a success
Izzy Beeson | Student
BHS Journalism Club
The BHS Marching Band had a very successful season with their 2025 show, Les Miserables. The show was based on the very successful Broadway production of the same name. The season began in late September and recently concluded.
The Marching Watchdogs were an exhibition performance for the Watchdog Marching Festival in Beresford on September 26. The middle school band also performed as an exhibition performance. For the first time since 2021, the middle school band had a show!
Mr. Schmeling, the BMS/BHS band director, commented: “Our JH Band did a fantastic job and worked extremely hard this year. They were the driving force behind changing from a traditional style marching band to a street show routine. They understood the challenges and faced them head on with some big successes throughout the marching season.”
The high school and middle school bands performed in Chester on October 3. The middle school band placed 2nd at the competition out of 8 competing bands with a score of 44 out of 100. The high school band placed 1st at the competition, receiving an 80.8 out of 100, 8.5 points higher than 2nd place. The high school band also received all caption awards, meaning they received Best Drumline, Best Color Guard, Best Winds, and Best Drum Majors.
The next day, October 4, the high school band traveled to Sioux Falls for the Festival of Bands competition. Out of 9 bands, the BHS Marching Watchdogs placed 1st in Class A. The Watchdogs received a 71.7 out of 100. Second place was given to Chamberlain, who received a 71.1 out of 100. Out of 25 total bands in the parade competition, the Watchdogs placed 6th. Tea Area High School placed 1st in the parade competition.
On Friday, October 17, The Marching Watchdogs traveled to Volga for the Sioux Valley Marching Competition. The BHS Band placed 1st. The band received an 85.7 out of 100.
Overall, the Marching Watchdogs had a VERY successful season, placing 1st at every competition this season.
“What a sweep!” Mr. Schmeling said about the high school band: “With only four seniors, we have a pretty young group this year and they’ve risen to the challenge in our competitions. Coming off our successes from last year, their drive to continue that success has been one of the big factors as they were striving for excellence. Their desire to improve has shown through with each competition.”
Catch the Beresford Band at the Veteran’s Day program in the BHS Gym on November 11. Go Dawgs, and don’t forget to support the arts!