To the tune of Superior

Paige Anthony

North Platte High School’s marching band earned a superior at the Kearney Columbus Corona Competition in Kearney on Oct. 24.

The North Platte High Marching Band earned a superior at the Kearney Columbus Corona Contest at Kearney High School. “It was really the only competition we got to go to in person,” said band director Brett Bradley. This was their only rated contest this year.

Drum Major Annie Von Kampen said it’s difficult to score so well because you only have a small number of allowed deductions. “You can be deducted for things like being out of step or having wrong spacing on your formations,” she said.

According to Drum Major Jonah San-Miguel, the competition was frigid. “It was really cold, which gave me a throwback to my sophomore year, because we had a lot of cold competitions,” he said.

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It was a little strange since we were not able to stay there for an awards ceremony.

— Annie Von Kampen, NPHS drum major

Because of COVID, the band was only allowed to perform, then they had to immediately leave. “For what it was, I’m just happy we got to compete,” said Von Kampen. “Overall, it went really well, it was a little strange since we were not able to stay there for an awards ceremony.” 

San Miguel said this competition was different than playing at the football games. “You walk onto the field and all you hear is silence and the wind,” he said.

Practicing for the event was a challenge because, according to Bradley, COVID rules prevented too many people from playing together inside. According to Bradley, the inside part of the band was hit harder by COVID. “It didn’t affect us so much as far as marching because we were outside, and we were spaced out far enough,” he said. 

San Miguel said the band treated the Kearney Columbus Corona Contest like it was State. “There is no State competition this year; it got canceled,” he said. “The hard work that the band has put in really showed off this year.”