2025 Waseca Marching Classic

Hundreds of people lined up along State Street at noon for the Marching Classic parade this past Saturday and hundreds took seats in the high school football field stadium to watch the field show performances of 15 different bands beginning at 5:30 p.m. The high school grounds became a field camp throughout the afternoon as bands attended “clinics” led by certified judges.

 

The thirty-eighth annual Waseca Marching Classic was another success.

 

An organization known as the Tri-State Judging Association certifies judges for music performance. Barry Peterson, head judge for the day, explains, “At the Waseca show we use a six-person judge panel. Visual performance and music performance evaluate the precision and accuracy of both movement and music. The visual general effect and music general effect are more reactionary and react to dynamics, visual surprises, and anything that generates an emotion. In addition, there is a color guard only judge and a percussion only judge.”

 

He goes on to say, “What I enjoy that the judging community has had to evolve as the bands evolve. Many bands use props, non-traditional uniforms and lots of enhancements via electronics and more.

 

“It really isn’t any different from what you see in a Broadway production other than the fact that it is between 8 and 10 minutes long and is presented on a football field.”

 

Bands which took part in the day’s events and the awards they are received are

Parade

Class AA

First: Stewartville Marching Tigers

Second: Luverne Cardinal Marching Band

Third: Pipestone Area Arrow Marching Band  

Class AAA

First: Lakeville South Marching Cougars

Second: Eastview Marching Band

Third: Farmington Tiger Marching Band

Fourth: “Spirit of Worthington” Trojan Marching Band

Fifth: Lakeville North Panther Marching Band

 

Special awards

Outstanding horn line: Lakeville South Marching Cougars

Outstanding percussion: Eastview Marching Band

Outstanding color guard: Farmington Tiger Marching Band

Outstanding drum majors: Lakeville North Panther Marching Band

People’s choice:  “Spirit of Worthington” Trojan Marching Band

Parade sweepstakes: Lakeville South Marching Cougars

 

Field Show

Class A

First: Rochester Lourdes Marching Band

Second: Pipestone Area Arrow Marching Band

Third: Luverne Cardinal Marching Band

Fourth: Park Center Marching Pirates

Fifth: NRHEG Panther Marching Band

Class AA

First: Coon Rapids Marching Cardinals

Second: “The Force” (Spirit Lake, IA)

Third: “Spirit of Madison” Marching Band (SD)

Fourth: Hutchinson Marching Tigers

Class AAA

First: Mankato 77 Lancers Marching Band

Second: Lakeville South Marching Band

Third: Eastview Marching Band

Fourth: Farmington Tiger Marching Band

 

Special awards

Outstanding horn line: Lakeville South Marching Cougars

Outstanding percussion: Eastview Marching Band

Outstanding color guard: Mankato 77 Lancers Marching Band

Outstanding drum majors: Mankato 77 Lancers Marching Band

Field Sweepstakes award: Mankato 77 Lancers Marching Band

Hert Streitz Spirit Award: Lakeville South Marching Cougars  

Richard “Butch” Dufault combined parade and field sweepstakes award:  Lakeville South Marching Cougars