Marching Band Goes Undefeated; Earns Cavalcade of Bands Championship
The Exeter Township Marching Band was crowned champion of the Liberty A division at the 2026 Cavalcade of Bands Championships this weekend, capping off a historic undefeated competition season! The band earned an impressive score of 91.8 at the November 7th championship at New Oxford High School, also capturing awards for High Visual and High Color Guard as they competed against 12 other bands.
The victory marks an incredible milestone for a program that has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Under the direction of Ms. Lorraine Selke, the band has gradually transitioned from traditional, show-style performances to more elaborate productions featuring intricate marching formations, thematic storytelling, costumes and color guard performances. During this transition, Ms. Selke began taking the band to local competitions as an exhibition group before officially entering the Cavalcade of Bands championships as competitors in 2023. That year, they finished last in their division. The next two years, they finished second to last. But this year, the band found its groove with its Egyptian-themed field show, "Reign," going undefeated throughout the competitive season and ultimately capturing the championship title!
Ms. Selke says the band's impressive season reflects not only students' musical talent, but also their extraordinary dedication. Since beginning preparations at their June mini-camp, students have logged approximately 185 hours of rehearsals, all outside of the regular school day. Many balanced those demanding rehearsals with athletics, other musical ensembles, clubs and part-time jobs, demonstrating an incredible commitment to their program and one another.
She also credits this year's success to a renewed approach to show design that emphasizes setting students up for success. "My team and I are making sure that we give students all the tools they need to be successful and perform to the best of their ability. This includes picking the right music for their level of skill, working with a drill designer who understands their marching abilities and can set them up for success, and picking a theme that the students could really embrace and have fun making it come to life on the football field."
Ms. Selke also recognizes the contributions of her instructional staff, Baldwin de la Cruz, Jennifer Rhein, Max Gillaspy, Nathan Bayer, Brenna Visby, Sam Repko and Melanie Adams, whose collaborative efforts helped make this championship season possible. Congratulations to Ms. Selke, her staff and every member of the Exeter Township Marching Band on an unforgettable season!