2025 Youth in Music Marching Band Championships: Schedule and info

For 21 years, the Youth in Music Marching Band Championships has brought together high school marching bands from across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. This year’s gathering on Oct. 11 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis showcases 34 high school ensembles in competition, three high school groups in exhibition, and one college exhibition unit.

All competing bands will be looking to topple the Rosemount High School Marching Band, which has dominated the AAAA class for years, including the past eight as overall champion of Youth in Music.

“All classes are extremely competitive,” says Youth in Music founder Brent Turner. “There are about three bands in every class that could win in their class.”

Rosemount’s main competition the past few years, Lincoln High School of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is back after missing last year’s event to play in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Out-of-state bands hailing from South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska make up nearly half of the competition. New to the competition this year are groups from Rock Island, Illinois; Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa.

The 34 high school marching bands will compete in four classes starting at 7 a.m. and going to about 4:30 p.m. The top 10 bands will return to compete in the finals at 7:15 p.m. Exhibition performances will be presented by bands from St. Croix Central High School of Hammond, Wisconsin, and Eastern Carver County of Chaska (middle school rock group called Questionable Legalities) during the day and by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Blugold Marching Band at night.

Besides the musical performances, Youth in Music bestows several awards and scholarships. Awards given out annually include a Hall of Fame inductee, volunteer of the year, and awards honoring school administrators who support the arts. Ken Martinson from marching.com is this year’s Hall of Fame recipient. Volunteers of the year are Suanne and Rhonda Turner.

While you're at the event, make sure to stop by the YourClassical booth where you can score free swag, learn about our service, and more! We will also have information for students who are interested in preparing an entry for the 2026 Karin Larson YourClassical Prize, which features a cash prize, recording session, and more.

Youth in Music lineup

Here is the schedule of who’s competing and when for those interested in attending the Youth in Music Marching Band Championships in person at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 11. YourClassical MPR will present a photo gallery of the day’s performances on Monday, Oct. 13, so be sure to come back here after the show.

Youth in Music Marching Band Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Oct. 11

Note: All are Minnesota high schools unless noted otherwise.

• Osseo: 7 a.m.

• Hutchinson: 7:15 a.m.

• Harrisburg (S.D.): 7:30 a.m.

• Andover: 7:45 a.m.

• Blaine: 8 a.m.

• Minnetonka: 8:15 a.m.

• Lourdes: 8:30 a.m.

• Coon Rapids: 8:45 a.m.

• Anoka: 9 a.m.

• St Croix Central (Wis., exhibition): 9:15 a.m.

• Theodore Roosevelt (Iowa): 9:30 a.m.

• Sioux Falls O'Gorman (S.D.): 9:45 a.m.

• Baldwin - Woodville (Wis.): 10 a.m.

• Brookings (S.D.): 10:15 a.m.

• Waseca: 10:30 a.m.

• Sioux Falls Roosevelt (S.D.): 10:45 a.m.

• Champlin Park: 11 a.m.

• Hastings: 11:15 a.m.

• Mankato Area 77 Lancers: 11:30 a.m.

• Eastern Carver County, exhibition: 11:45 a.m.

• Class A and AA Awards: 12 p.m.

• Sioux Falls Washington (S.D.): 12:30 p.m.

• Rock Island (Ill.): 12:45 p.m.

• River Falls (Wis.): 1 p.m.

• Chippewa Falls (Wis.): 1:15 p.m.

• Farmington: 1:30 p.m.

• Lakeville South: 1:45 p.m.

• Marshall: 2 p.m.

• Eden Prairie: 2:15 p.m.

• Irondale: 2:30 p.m.

• Millard North (Neb.) 2:45 p.m.

• Millard West (Neb.): 3 p.m.

• Greendale (Wis.): 3:15 p.m.

• Brandon Valley (S.D.): 3:30 p.m.

• Sioux Falls Lincoln (S.D.): 3:45 p.m.

• Eastview: 4 p.m.

• Rosemount: 4:15 p.m.

• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, exhibition: 4:30 p.m.

• Class AAA and AAAA Awards: 4:45 p.m.