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Badger Band Strikes a High Note With Superior State Performance

2–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Aaden Lee

A marching band member in a blue and white uniform receiving an award from a man in a jacket, with other band members visible in the background, on a sports field.

The Bennington High School marching band brought home one of the highest distinctions in competitive marching band after earning a Division I Superior rating at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA) State Marching Band Competition last weekend at Seacrest Field in Lincoln.

The accomplishment reflects the hard work, dedication and teamwork students put into their performances throughout the season. Instrumental Music Director Cassi Vallis said the Badger Band continued to demonstrate the strong culture, work ethic and performance standards that have become part of the program’s identity.

“The Badger Band has a history of superior culture, work ethic, and performance,” Vallis said.

A male percussionist in a marching band uniform raises mallets while performing in a field during an autumn setting.
A marching band performer playing the flute while standing on a pedestal, wearing a blue and black uniform with a plume on the hat.

The NSBA uses a system that evaluates both the musical and visual elements of a marching band’s performance. According to the association, five judges assess the band in areas including music effect, visual effect, ensemble music performance, individual music performance and individual visual performance. Each judge evaluates multiple performance categories, with the combined ratings determining the band’s final division. A Division I rating is the highest distinction, earning a Superior designation and a gold trophy.

For Bennington, Vallis said several elements of the performance were particularly strong throughout the competition season. The band’s showmanship, connection to its musical motif, sectional culture and pride in representing the school all contributed to its performances.

A young man in a white uniform with blue accents stands sideways, raising his right arm in a salute.
Three band members wearing black uniforms and blue plume hats are performing on a football field with large bass drums.

Students also had opportunities to showcase their individual sections through featured moments, including percussion breaks, brass and woodwind features, and the color guard’s rifle and flag work.

One of Vallis’ favorite moments came during the second movement of the show, set to “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol. During this portion, the band forms a large circle around the color guard and percussion, creating a visually striking formation.

“When they hit their spot, they all play out with such power and balance to showcase the strong emotional moment, accompanied by stick waves in the drum line and flag work with the guard,” Vallis said. “All sections are contributing individually to one powerful moment.”

A musician in a marching band playing a tuba, wearing a black and blue uniform, with other band members in the background.
A marching band member in a black and blue uniform plays a flute while performing on a grassy field, with other musicians in the background.

Reaching that level of performance takes considerable preparation. Vallis said the students followed the same routine they used throughout the season, with early morning rehearsals, marching fundamentals, music sectionals and full run-throughs of each movement.

This year’s particularly rainy marching season presented an additional challenge, limiting the amount of time students could spend rehearsing outdoors with their instruments. Rather than letting the weather derail preparations, the band made the most of its indoor rehearsal time, focusing on musical fundamentals through sectionals and full-band practices while continuing to refine the visual elements of its performance.

Vallis said the experience gave students an opportunity to work through difficult circumstances while continuing to improve as a group.

A marching band performance with members wearing uniforms and feathered hats. A female performer in a flowing black and blue outfit is carrying a purple flag, smiling as she walks alongside fellow band members.
A young musician in a blue and black marching band uniform plays a keyboard during a performance, with brass instruments and other band members in the background.

Beyond the rating itself, she said the season demonstrated what students can accomplish when they commit themselves to something challenging and work together toward a common goal.

“Our students are capable of doing hard and challenging things, and what they are capable of achieving is limitless,” Vallis said.

She also emphasized that the accomplishment extends beyond the students performing on the field. The music boosters, families, friends, community members, Bennington Public Schools administration and staff all play important roles in supporting the program.

“The students, music boosters, families, friends, community, BPS Administration, and staff all come together to support and encourage each other in making beautiful and powerful music,” Vallis said. “Thank you for supporting the Badger Band!”

Marching band members in uniforms stand on a field, preparing for a performance, with a bright orange number 10 marker visible in the foreground.
A young person wearing a white and blue military-style outfit stands with their back turned, looking over their shoulder against a cloudy sky.
A young girl stands confidently on a ladder, dressed in a white uniform with blue accents, against a cloudy sky.
Three dancers performing on a football field, holding colorful geometric props, dressed in vibrant costumes with long skirts.
A young female musician in a blue and black uniform plays a marimba during a performance, focusing intently on her instrument.
A marching band performing on a field, dressed in blue and black uniforms with feathered hats, playing flutes and saxophones.
A marching band member in blue and black uniform holding a trombone, standing amongst fellow musicians on a football field.
Marching band members in black and blue uniforms playing trombones on a field.
A young musician in a band uniform plays a trumpet, wearing a blue and black hat with a feather, while other band members perform in the background.
A marching band member playing a saxophone, wearing a blue and black uniform with a plumed hat, while other band members play instruments in the background.
A marching band performance featuring multiple musicians playing saxophones, dressed in blue and black uniforms with tall feathered hats, on a grassy field with stadium seating in the background.
A color guard performer twirls a flag on a football field, surrounded by marching band members in blue uniforms.
A performer in a colorful costume holding a black and white flag, with dramatic makeup, standing in front of other marching band members in a stadium.
A member of a marching band performing on a field, wearing a blue and black uniform with a tall feathered hat, while holding a trumpet. Other band members are visible in the background.
A marching band member playing the flute, wearing a blue and black uniform with a tall plume on the hat, in an outdoor setting.
A marching band member in a black and blue uniform plays a trumpet while standing on a platform, with other band members in the background.
A marching band member playing the clarinet on the field, dressed in a blue and black uniform with a blue plume on the helmet, with other musicians and performers in the background.
A marching band member plays a saxophone while standing on a field, surrounded by other musicians holding instruments and a large white cloth.
A young musician in a blue and black marching band uniform plays the flute while standing atop a platform during a performance, surrounded by other band members in the background.
Two performers in marching band uniforms playing brass instruments on a raised platform during a competition, with a stadium backdrop.
Two performers in colorful costumes holding hands while waving flags on a field, with empty stadium bleachers in the background.
A student musician wearing a blue and black uniform stands focused with cymbals in a marching band setting.
Two members of a marching band performing on a field, one playing a xylophone and the other observing, both dressed in blue and black uniforms.
A group of marching band drummers wearing blue and black uniforms with tall blue plume hats, standing in formation on a football field.
A marching band in uniform performing at an outdoor stadium, featuring drummers and musicians with blue and black attire.
A marching band performing on a football field, featuring musicians in blue and black uniforms with feathered hats, playing brass instruments.
Marching band members wearing blue and black uniforms perform on the field, with some holding instruments and others playing drums.
A marching band performance on a field, featuring musicians dressed in black and blue uniforms, holding instruments such as trumpets and saxophones.
A marching band member playing a saxophone, wearing a blue and black uniform with a feathered plume, while others are preparing in the background.
A marching band member wearing a black uniform with blue accents plays a trombone on a football field, with other band members visible in the background.
A marching band performs on a field, featuring members in black and blue uniforms. Drummers carry snare drums, while a tuba player accompanies them. The background shows empty stadium seats.
Marching band members perform on a field, featuring a drummer in black and blue uniforms and a cymbal player with large cymbals, standing on a raised platform.
A male conductor in a white uniform bends forward with one arm extended, directing a performance on a podium against a cloudy sky.
A group of performers in colorful costumes, including blue and white uniforms, stands on a sports field. They are saluting or posing, holding various props, with a backdrop of a building and stadium lights.
A group of young performers in colorful uniforms and costumes stands on a sports field at dusk, preparing for a performance. Some are in marching band style outfits with plumes, while others wear vibrant theatrical costumes, holding props.
A marching band member in a blue and white uniform receives an award from a presenter on a sports field, surrounded by other band members in distinct uniforms.
A close-up view of a marching band trophy labeled 'SUPERIOR' placed on the ground, with three individuals in white uniforms standing beside it. The background features a green turf field.

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