The Dartmouth High marching band will head to nationals after besting 13 other districts in a three-tiered regional competition.

On November 4, Dartmouth competed in Bridgeport, Connecticut against three other Division 5 teams. They earned 97.113 points (out of a 100-point system), and were awarded for best color guard, best music, and best percussion.

However, the competition took an unexpected twist, said Director of Music Bill Kingsland. The high school then had to compete against the winners of the other five divisions and the top eight overall scorers in an all-out battle for the championship. Dartmouth faced much larger bands because of the combined format, but took a first-place win against the 13 other schools.

“It felt really good to be able to come out on top,” Kingsland said.

The win followed the state championship on October 29, at which students finished first and won awards for best music, overall effects, best percussion, and best visual against four other bands in their division.

Now, the high school team will travel to New Jersey for the USBands National Championship on November 12. Kinsgland is still awaiting for word on the band’s placement in the competition. He hopes to perform later in the competition because the judges are more apt to remember final performances.

Kingsland said challenging opposition awaits, including Mechanicsburg Area Senior High students from Pennsylvania, whom Dartmouth has yet to face.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy. We are going to have to earn everything,” said Kingsland.

Dartmouth has a promising history, however, said Kingsland. The team has made it to nationals every year for about 12 years, and always finishes in the top three of its division, he said.