Editorial: Band's got 'Spirit'

• WHS band performs

FILE PHOTO: The Worthington High School Marching Band marches down Main Street during parade competition at the Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne. (Brian Korthals/Daily Globe)

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It’s been a great last couple of weeks for the “Spirit of Worthington” Trojan Marching Band.

Competing in the 61st annual Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne on Sept. 24, the band earned a No. 1 finish for the first time in several years.

That showing was certainly notable — and then came the following weekend. Taking part at the 24th annual Festival of Bands USA this past Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D., the band marched to a Class 3A victory and earned a grand championship in the parade competition category.

Saturday’s showing marked the first time in school history that the “Spirit of Worthington” Trojan Marching Band has won the Parade Grand Champion honor at the Sioux Falls event. It should also be noted that several schools from the region excelled at Festival of Bands USA, including Murray County Central, Adrian, Sibley-Ocheyedan, Pipestone and Luverne — performances made more impressive considering 34 bands from four states were participating.

The WHS band, under the direction of Jon Loy, had already earned the praise of many within the community thanks to its performances at various community events, most recently last month’s King Turkey Day parade. Now, it’s earning critical acclaim, too.

Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band. Its success can be seen as truly reflecting the “Spirit of Worthington.”

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