Another year, another national championship for Dartmouth High marching band

The Dartmouth dynasty continues.

For the sixth time since 2016, the Dartmouth High marching band and color guard have returned from the Meadowlands as national champions, the 11th US Bands title in program history.

“They had a great performance last weekend, best one of the season,” said Music Director Ian Flint.

The band scored a 97.7 in the Group 5 Open Championship held Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — topping runner up Downingtown West, from Pennsylvania, who scored a 96.35.

Dartmouth also won accolades for top percussion and color guard.

This year’s winning show was titled “Forgotten” — a western-themed set featuring an electric guitar, played by senior Cohen Walsh, and full drum kit, played by senior Ethan Church, in addition to the traditional band and color guard units.

Leading into the national championship, the band managed to once again snag the title of best in New England, winning the regional championship with a score of 99.2.

The Indians were also the top performers at the 2022 Bands of America competition held at Rutgers University on Oct. 29 — the first year Dartmouth opted to participate.

“This was kind of our victory lap,” Flint said.