The scholastic marching arts continued their post-COVID comeback as 34 of the top high school marching bands from Minnesota and beyond competed Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as part of the Youth in Music Championships. It was the biggest lineup ever for the popular event.

“We had to turn away four bands this year because the signup was at capacity within two weeks of the registration opening,” YIM founder Brent Turner says.

All of the bands competed during the day, in various classes based on size. Then the top 10 bands return to compete in the finals at night. Minnesota’s Rosemount High School won the championship once again, capping a day and night filled with outstanding performances and musicianship. (Check out the scores from prelims and finals.)

Relive the excitement and pageantry of the Youth in Music Championships through our huge photo gallery below.

Bands are presented in alphabetical order from their daytime performances. All are Minnesota high schools unless noted otherwise.

All photos by Dack Nehring of BrenRose Photos, exclusively for YourClassical MPR, which does not make reprints available. To order official photos from the event, go to Ceremony Photos.

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment‘s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.