The CHS Marching Band became champions last weekend at the 2025 Wyoming State Marching Band competition. The group notched a first-place victory in the 3A open class with additional wins in the categories of music, marching, winds (woodwinds and brass) and percussion.
“For the first time in 45 years, we had an open competition,” said band director Wade French. “And we won, which I believe is a first for Cody, too. It’s a pretty unique experience and really cool ... The kids are ecstatic.”
The band performed a medley of four songs under the theme “Anthems of Outsiders,” including Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock n’ Roll,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” under the leadership of French and assistant director Drew Brown. Mell Hopkin served as band staff while Wendy Willis acted as the Guard Coach for the Broncs’ color guard.
“We have a really strong electric guitarist and a senior that is an incredible jazz drummer,” French said. “Drew and I wanted something with a little bit of rock ’n’ roll, and the kids picked out the name.”
French credits the band’s success in competition to the student leadership and staff.
“We have fantastic student leaders,” he said, recalling that during a mock run at last year’s festival, Cody ranked fourth in open competition. “The kids knew this was coming and they stepped up. Even a week or two ago, we’re on the field until nine o’clock at night and they wouldn’t say, ‘We’re cold,’ they’d say, ‘No, let’s run it again.’ It’s that positive energy and grit (that helped them make the leap from fourth to first).”
The competition was held at the Ford Center in Casper and marked the first time since the 1980s that state titles were on the line. Over 1,700 students from 22 schools participated. Organizers at the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) had previously announced this year’s format would once again offer to a true competition-style matchup with the winners of each division earning champion titles. The 3A division pit the Broncs against five other marching bands from around the state: Pinedale, Buffalo, Star Valley, Green River and Riverton.
“We received all the same feedback as those schools who competed in the scholastic competition, but we stuck our necks out a little bit farther,” French said. “(Our competitors are) really amazing programs (...) We have incredible camaraderie with other music programs throughout the state.”
“We work in a great state,” French added, noting that CHS has members from both Powell and Greybull on its roster. “We work in a great state.”
The statewide festival has occurred annually for over 30 years and is organized by the WHSAA and Wyoming Music Educators Association.
Article by Victoria O’Brien, Editor, can be found at https://www.codyenterprise.com/news/people/article_911aa4fb-6e57-4e9d-aaaf-395565ecd5cc.html