Demon Band performed at the Bands of America Regional Championships on Nov. 5, in Utah. The band competed with 31 of the top marching bands from the Western United States, including several national ranked bands, placing between 15th and 28th in the competitions.

Bands of America is the national circuit for high school marching band. Santa Fe High was one of only two schools that represented New Mexico at this BOA Regional.

“I brought our band there not necessarily expecting to be ‘competitive,’ but as a way to end our season on a high note, at a major event.  My primary goal was for them to watch some of the top bands in the country before those groups went on to Nationals,” Mr. Bellon explained. “I am extremely proud to say that our band ‘held their own’ as a AA band at Bands of America.”

Mr. Bellon reported that the band scored particularly well in Music and Visual General Effect, coming in ahead of several bands in the AAA and AAAA divisions. “They managed to do this despite a 4 a.m. wakeup call, a 6 a.m. warmup, and a 7:15 a.m. performance in 17 degree weather,” he said, adding, “I couldn’t possibly be prouder of these students, their hard work, and how hard they have come this season.”