Lourdes High School’s marching band capped a standout season with a first-place finish in Class A at the multi-state Youth in Music Marching Band Championships, the Post Bulletin reported.
Band Director Andrew Scheller told the audience at the ensemble’s final concert that the group had grown more than any single ensemble during his tenure at the Rochester school. The band’s 40 members tied for the smallest among all groups performing at the festival, according to the report.
After taking the Class A victory, Lourdes advanced to finals for the first time since 2018, competing against 10 other schools, including Rosemount High School, which has more than 2,000 students. Lourdes placed last in the final group of 11 bands, but students said reaching finals was itself an achievement.
Senior clarinet player Carrie Heindel said the band’s story shows that a group does not have to be large to win as long as it has heart, the Post Bulletin reported. Senior Eleanor Clasemann, who conducted the band during its Dead Man’s Party-themed send-off, called the season awesome and said the Youth in Music success was a testament to the students’ work.
The band also earned first place in Class AA at the Waseca Marching Classic and second-place finishes at the Champlin Park Rebel Classic, Eastview Marching Band Festival and Eden Prairie Festival of Colors during the season.
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