Trojans claim parade championship at Tri-State Band Festival

WORTHINGTON - Once again this season, the Worthington High School (WHS) “Spirit of Worthington” Trojan Marching Band claimed victory at a major regional parade competition.

On Saturday, the Trojans took their “We the People” show to the streets of Luverne, where they were among 15 bands competing in the 68th Annual Tri-State Band Festival.

After sharing their brightly patriotic show with hundreds of spectators on a chilly gray morning, the 160-member band rolled east down Interstate 90 toward home as the Class AAA first-place finishers (topping Brookings High School) and the Parade Sweepstakes winner.

It was a close call, however; the WHS band’s overall score of 77.6 tied with both Class AAA competitor Brookings (marching to “Eye of the Tiger”) and Class AAAA band Brandon Valley High School (marching to “New World Symphony” by Antonin Dvorak).

Because of the tie for first place, the parade sweepstakes winner was decided by adding the Music General Effect and Visual General Effect scores, which gave WHS the win.

Next Saturday, the Trojans will perform in an 8 a.m. parade, along with 28 other bands, at the 31st annual Sioux Falls Festival of Bands.

The WHS marching band is led by director Jon Loy and student commanders Davis Moore, Chris Lee, Sean Souksavath and Tad Stewart.

Results from the 2018 Tri-State Band Festival:

Parade Class A: First, Murray County Central; second, Adrian. Class AA: First, Tea Area; second, West Central. Class AAA: First, WHS; second, Brookings; Class AAAA: first, Brandon Valley High School. Parade sweepstakes: WHS. Parade People’s Choice: Sioux Falls Christian.

Field Class A: First, Sibley-Ocheyedan; second, South O’Brien. Class AA: First, West Lyon; second, Madison Central. Class AAA: First, Brookings; second, O’Gorman. Class AAAA: first, Brandon Valley. K.M. Getman award: West Central.

Outstanding Wind Class A: Sibley-Ocheyedan. Class AA: West Lyon Community School. Class AAA: Brookings High School. Class AAAA: Brandon Valley.

Outstanding Percussion Class A: Sibley-Ocheyedan High School. Class AA: West Lyon Community School. Class AAA: Brookings High School. Class AAAA: Brandon Valley.

Outstanding Auxiliary Class A; Sibley-Ocheyedan High School. Class AA: West Lyon Community School.  Class AAA: Brookings High School. Class AAAA: Brandon Valley.

Outstanding Drum Major Class A: Sibley-Ocheyedan High School. Class AA: West Lyon Community School. Class AAA: O'Gorman High School. Class AAAA: Brandon Valley.

1/9: A color guard starts off the parade Saturday morning. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

2/9: Moms and kids are bundled up as the parade starts. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

3/9: The Worthington Trojans Marching Band competes at the Luverne Tri-State Band Festival. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

4/9: Judges take notes before the next competing band starts its routine during the Luverne Tri-State Band Festival. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

5/9: The Tracy Area High School marching band at the Luverne Tri-State Band Festival. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

6/9: A Brookings, S.D. sousaphone player reflects a distorted view at the Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

7/9: The Trojans' drum line marches off the parade route at the end of the competition. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

8/9: The Trojans' color guard. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)

9/9: Tea South Dakota color guard performs at the Tri-State Band Festival. (Tim Middagh / The Globe)