The Florence High School Marching Band captured its fourth straight Colorado Bandmasters Association 1A state championship Monday at Colorado State University–Pueblo, sweeping every judging category in the finals, the Canon City Daily Record reported.
The 65-member ensemble performed its show “Groove,” which blends Beethoven works such as Für Elise with modern pieces including Cardi B’s “I Like It Like That,” according to the report. Band director Justin Nelson said the show was designed to be accessible yet challenging for a younger group of students, incorporating funk, swing and Latin grooves.
Florence entered the competition as the No. 1 seed and finished with a final score of 64.1, edging second-place Monte Vista High School. The band swept categories including music composition, visual use and general effects, the Canon City Daily Record reported.
Nelson, who took over the program in 2018, credited the seniors for establishing a culture of excellence and supporting incoming freshmen. The class of 2027 will be the first at Florence High School to win four consecutive state band titles.
The Florence Band Boosters and Florence Howling Husky Pride Facebook pages praised students and thanked parents for supporting music education through prop transport, instrument purchases and rehearsal logistics. The Cañon City Tiger Pride Marching Band placed ninth in the 3A category with a score of 55.9, according to the report.
For more information, visit canoncitydailyrecord.com.