Last year, Mater Academy’s marching band was runner-up in the state championships competition.
This year, the Mighty Lions marched their way to first place.
Mater Academy won the Florida Marching Band Class A State Championships last month at the Tropicana Dome in St. Petersburg.
The Mighty Lions were among 19 bands chosen to compete in the semifinals and made the final cut of five bands.
Mater Academy’s 70-member band comprised of band brass, percussions and color guards, earned the top championship, beating Northside Christian, Palm Beach Central, Jupiter and Park Vista.
“It was one of the best feelings ever,” said Mater’s band director Jason Cochrac.
The top bands were judged in several categories such as individual field music, ensemble music, general effect music, color guards, drum major, percussion and ensemble visual.
Cochrac said his band started preparing in June to play in local competitions to get a shot at returning to the state champions.
They competed in regular competitions, district, regionals and advanced to the state finals.
Cochrac said his band performed in the semifinals and the finals on the same night.
“We made it to the finals, performed in an award ceremony, then hopped on the bus and headed to the Tropicana Dome for the finals,” he said. “It was nonstop.”