Riva Sharples | Editor
Last Friday, September 26, the streets of Beresford were filled with the sounds of music and marching, as area bands competed for prizes and accolades during the 9th annual Watchdog Marching Band Festival.
This year’s competition, held Sept. 26, brought more than 1,100 competitors and hundreds of spectators to Beresford. Spectators lined the streets, which were decorated for Homecoming happening later that day, to watch the 24 bands who were competing in various classes, from middle school to AA high school.
“I was thrilled with the way everything went this year,” said Beresford Band Director Aaron Schmeling, organizer of the event. “I’m so proud of all the work our students have put in and will continue to put in for their successes! They were fantastic hosts for our guests and carried themselves with pride throughout the whole competition.”
After the Beresford Choir opened the event by singing the National Anthem, Beresford’s Middle School Band kicked off the festival as an Exhibition entry, thrilling the crowds with their rendition and routine to “Kings & Queens.”
Next up were the middle schoolers.
Competing in the Middle School B Division were Middle School/Junior High bands from: Parker, Dakota Valley, SF Lutheran, McCook Central, Central Lyon, Lennox, and Centerville.
Winning this year’s Middle School Class B competition was Sioux Falls Lutheran. Second place went to Lennox Middle School. Tea Area Middle School was the only entry in Class A and won that category. Tea Area Middle School also swept the special awards category for middle school, winning Best Percussion and Best Winds.
In the Traditional High School Band division, four schools competed: Alcester-Hudson, Avon, Scotland, and Montrose. Montrose took first in the division with Scotland coming in second. Special awards went to Montrose for Best Percussion and Best Color Guard and Scotland for Best Winds and Best Drum Major.
In the High School Traditional Division Class A, three bands competed: Bon Homme, Centerville High School, and Vermillion High School. Taking 1st place was Centerville with Vermillion in second. Best Percussion and Best Winds went to Vermillion with Best Color Guard and Best Drum Major going to Centerville.
In the Street Show Class B division, there were four competitors: Irene-Wakonda, Elk Point-Jefferson, Dakota Valley High School, and Parker High School. First place in Street Show Class B was captured by Elk Point-Jefferson with Dakota Valley snagging second. Special awards went to Elk Point-Jefferson for Best Percussion, Best Color Guard and Best Winds with Best Drum Major going to Parker.
In Class AA for High School Show, there were two competitors: Tri-Valley and McCook Central. In that duo, Tri-Valley came out on top as first and McCook Central took second. Best Percussion and Best Winds went to Tri-Valley while McCook Central took Best Color Guard and Best Drum Major.
In Class AA Street Show, West Central was the only entry and swept the category.
The People’s Choice Award was captured by the exciting routine presented by West Central.
Beresford’s High School Marching Band closed out Friday’s competition as an impressive exhibition entry.