The Bozeman High School marching band captured first place at the Mt. Timpanogos Invitational in the Salt Lake City area on Oct. 24, a milestone for a 53-member ensemble competing against programs with rosters as large as 240 students. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported the win, which band director Kelly Berdahl described as a pinnacle moment for the program.
The competition featured 41 bands, mostly from Utah, many with budgets Berdahl called unfathomable. Bozeman High’s winning show, titled “Infectious,” depicted human encroachment on the natural world, with props including 25-foot swaths of green fabric representing toxic waste, oil drums, and screens showing industrial pollution before giving way to a forest scene. The performance opened with Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and featured trombone, saxophone, and drum solos alongside color guard choreography.
Berdahl credited student buy-in for the show’s success, noting the ensemble pursued a clean, blended band sound with substantial marching choreography. The win marks a comeback for Bozeman High, which finished last in its division at a Utah competition four years ago. Gallatin High School also competed, winning best drum line and placing third overall in its division.
Bozeman schools have been the only competitive marching bands in Montana for 25 years, forcing travel to out-of-state competitions. The band’s final performance of the season is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Sacajawea Elementary School to inspire younger students to join the program.
For more information, visit bozemandailychronicle.com.