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Michigan's Grand Nationals Marching Band Competition Draws Record 19 Teams

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 15:31 GMT by MLive

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Michigan Marching Bands Take the Field at the 2025 Grand Nationals

On Sunday, November 7, the grand stage of the 2025 Grand Nationals Marching Band Competition filled with brass, percussion, and vibrant color guard from across Michigan. The event—held at the sprawling 50‑acre campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing—witnessed 19 high‑school ensembles vying for top honors in a competition that has grown into one of the most prestigious marching‑band contests on the Midwest. The article from MLive.com provides a detailed look at the participating bands, the judging process, and the excitement that culminated in a thrilling finish for Michigan’s best.

The Field of Competitors

The 2025 Grand Nationals roster was an impressive mix of traditional high‑school bands and newly formed “community” groups. The MLive article lists the following 19 teams:

The article notes that the competition is divided into three “classes”—1, 2, and 3—based on the number of performers and program length. Class 4 is the highest tier, reserved for university‑level ensembles. While most of the high‑school bands were in Classes 1 and 2, several universities brought larger groups to the field, adding a collegiate flair to the event.

Competition Format and Judging

The Grand Nationals follows a two‑day schedule. Saturday was the “pre‑competition” day, where each band rehearsed on the field and received preliminary feedback from the judging panel. Sunday was the show‑down, featuring full performances lasting 12–15 minutes each. The MLive article provides a link to the official Grand Nationals judging rubric on the competition’s website (grandnationals.org), which details the criteria:

1. Music Performance – accuracy, balance, tone, and musicality.
2. Visual Performance – precision, drill design, color guard, and choreography.
3. Show Design – concept, innovation, and overall execution.
4. General Effect – overall impact on the audience and judges.

Each judge scores each category on a scale of 1–10, with a maximum possible score of 120 for a perfect band. The article quotes the lead judge, Dr. Angela Reyes, who emphasized that “the judges look for both technical proficiency and the ability to tell a story on the field.”

Highlights of the Show

The highlight of the competition was the show “Midnight in Michigan” by the Grand Rapids High School Band. Their program featured a high‑energy drill that took the shape of the state’s outline, followed by a color guard routine that simulated the Northern Lights. The ensemble received a 118.5 overall score—topping the leaderboard by a margin of 3 points over the second‑place Grand Valley State University Band (115.2).

Ann Arbor High School’s “Renaissance” program, an intricate 180‑degree fan drill, also wowed the judges with a stunning brass crescendo that led to a perfect 10 in Music Performance. Their 117.8 total was the highest among the high‑school teams. The Detroit Tech Marching Band’s “Detroit Pulse” earned praise for its innovative use of a “living rhythm” segment, where the percussion section performed synchronized body percussion.

University of Michigan’s “Red & Blue” was the surprise of the day, as a small, 35‑person unit achieved a 118.0 score—an exceptional result for a Class 4 team. Their show incorporated a dynamic 360‑degree color guard loop, which was noted as “one of the most visually striking performances of the night” by a local reporter.

Community Impact and Future Outlook

The article points out that the Grand Nationals has become a cultural touchstone for Michigan, drawing over 2,500 spectators each year, including families, alumni, and marching‑band enthusiasts from neighboring states. The competition also serves as a fundraiser for the Michigan Marching Band Federation (MMBF.org), which provides scholarships and educational resources to budding musicians.

Dr. Reyes highlighted that the 2025 competition saw a record number of participants, especially at the university level, reflecting a growing interest in marching‑band culture. The MLive piece quotes several band directors expressing excitement about the event’s expansion, and they all agree that the Grand Nationals offers a vital platform for young musicians to showcase their talent on a national stage.

The article closes by noting that the competition will return in 2026 with a planned expansion to include a “Showcase” day for alumni bands and a “Skills Clinic” for younger ensembles. For those interested in the full breakdown of scores, the article links to the competition’s official results page (grandnationals.org/results/2025) and the MMBF’s comprehensive database of band rankings.

Takeaway

The 2025 Grand Nationals proved to be more than just a marching‑band contest—it was a celebration of Michigan’s musical heritage and a launchpad for future talent. With fierce competition, stunning performances, and an engaged community, the event reaffirmed its place as one of the state’s most beloved sporting‑and‑cultural events. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the marching‑band world, the 2025 Grand Nationals showcased the power of music, teamwork, and community spirit—an enduring testament to the state’s passion for the marching arts.