Air Academy High wins marching band competition

For the second consecutive year, the Air Academy High School Kadets are the champions of the 4A marching band world in Colorado.

The Kadets breezed to the title, scoring 84.7 points to easily beat runner-up Loveland by more than five points.

Not only did they win 4A, the Kadets were declared grand champions after earning the highest score of any school in the 4A or 5A Colorado Bandmasters Association State Championships Saturday at Invesco Field in Denver.

The Kadets' championship continues a long tradition of marching band excellence at the Academy District 20 school. Air Academy was runner-up in 2006 and has consistently ranked in the top five in recent years.

In fact, the Kadets brought home state titles in 1994, 1998 and 1999 prior to their current streak of back-to-back championships, achieved under director Stoney Black, who has led the program since 2003.

Air Academy wasn't the only Pikes Peak-area marching band getting attention of the finals.

In 5A, Rampart finished runner-up to champion Legacy High from Broomfield. Legacy beat Rampart by less than a point. The schools tied in the music performance category and Rampart held a slight edge for "general effect." Legacy won on the strength of its edge in visual performance.

In 4A, Fountain-Fort Carson finished third behind Air Academy and Loveland, while Mesa Ridge was fifth. Liberty finished 10th, Pine Creek was 14th and Canon City placed 21st in the competition.

Other area 5A schools included Doherty at 17th and Sand Creek in 18th place.

The marching band competition resumes today with the 1A, 2A and 3A state championships in Aurora.