The Northstars were the musical stars once again, but this time it came a little later in the day.
Under the lights of Perkins Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Waukesha Northstar Marching Band delivered another shining performance in capturing its ninth straight title at the Wisconsin School Music Association State Marching Band Championships on Saturday, Oct. 17.
North's state title is its 14th in the program's storied history.
The Northstars' 91.70 points (out of a possible 100) earned them the Class AAA title, and their score was the highest of any of the four division champions.
Greendale, which won the Class AA championship, was the next closest with 91.20 points.
The Northstars, who had to wait until 9:15 p.m. before making their way onto Perkins Stadium on a chilly Saturday night, scored 40 of a possible 45 points in the visual presentation of the competition and 42.85 points in the music presentation.
Night performance
Lansing Dimon, in his first year as North's marching band director, said it was the first time in a number of years the Northstars played at night.
"They were extremely hyped and excited about the show," said Dimon, who was the marching band's assistant director the previous three years.
The team's excitement led to successful results as North, whose show was called "Vengeance," also had the highest point total in its division in musical presentation, visual presentation, color guard and percussion categories.
After competing in the Class AAAA large-school division during the first seven years of its nine-year title run, North has landed in Class AAA the past two years. Divisions are based on school enrollment.
A video of North's state performance can be seen here: bit.ly/Northstateband.
Strong season
The state results continued a run of success for the Northstars in 2015.
Before the state meet, the Northstars took first place at a competition Oct. 3 in Greendale, and on back-to-back days in Chippewa Falls and River Falls the following week.
The Northstars also took third place of 16 teams, and senior Anna Snopek earned outstanding soloist recognition at the Youth In Music Competition on Oct. 10 in Farmington, Minnesota.
"That was our biggest challenge, as it was a grueling weekend," Dimon said of the three events. "After that weekend, it really solidified (our team). It made us closer and such a tight-knit group as we spent 12 to 14 hours together on a bus."
Rich history
Dimon credits the band's innovative programs for the school's marching band success.
"We really look at the design of the program and give something to the kids that is doable and something we feel they are comfortable doing that has a lot of substance to it," Dimon said.
Dimon also pointed to his staff and the students' abilities, many of whom are also involved in athletics.
"Some of our best kids are also in other activities," Dimon said. "They balance it all really well."
He added that a desire to continue North's strong tradition also plays a factor in North's winning ways.
Despite North's longevity at the top, Dimon did express some concerns about the marching band's declining participation numbers. He said 130 students are part of marching band this year, compared to 160 four years ago.
"That's a concern we have," Dimon said. "We hope to see that number go back up."
North has two more competitions left on its fall schedule. It will travel to Downers Grove, Illinois, for a competition on Saturday, Oct. 24, before it heads to Indianapolis for the Bands of America Grand National Championships Nov. 11-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Northstars will also have a community "Thank You Performance" open to the public at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the high school, 2222 Michigan Ave.
West, South at state
Other Waukesha schools also competed at the state competition at UW-Whitewater.
Waukesha West captured second in Class AAAA with 84.20 points.
Like last year, Oak Creek bested Waukesha West to take the crown in that division. Before that, West finished runner-up to North for seven straight years.
Waukesha South was fifth in the Class AAA division with 70.65 points, one better spot than last year's finish.
Cumberland High School won the Class A title.