Montana State University will host the annual Showcase of Bands on Saturday, October 4, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. The event will feature performances from nine high school marching bands from across Montana and is free and open to the public. Gates open at 1:30 p.m., with performances scheduled between 2 and 5 p.m.
The Spirit of the West, MSU’s marching band with a history spanning over four decades, will also perform music from the film “How to Train Your Dragon.” This marks the eighth year for the Showcase of Bands, which aims to celebrate both marching bands and their supporters.
“First-time spectators may be surprised to hear how much cheering there is for the different bands during their performances,” said Nathan Stark, MSU’s director of bands. “It really is a high-energy event. Our primary goal is to encourage our high schoolers to keep playing.”
After all performances conclude, participating bands will receive awards and non-scored evaluations from a panel made up of Spirit of the West members. According to Stark, this event often provides many high school bands with their first opportunity for professional feedback as they start their performance season.
The event will end with a drumline battle where each high school drumline performs cadences in turn at the center of the stadium.
Scheduled highlights include a national anthem performance by Rosalyn Steiner at 2 p.m., followed by appearances from Sweet Grass County High School, East Helena High School, Sheridan High School, Fergus High School, Belgrade High School, Gallatin High School, Havre High School, Flathead High School, Bozeman High School, and finally Spirit of the West. Awards are set for 4:20 p.m., with the drumline battle beginning at 4:30 p.m.
