The Nazareth Blue Eagle Marching Band of Nazareth Area High School returned home from a 2 day trip to Maryland.  They were escorted from the township line to the high school by the Nazareth police, fire and ambulance crews.  Hundreds of screaming and waving parents and schoolmates were waiting at the school holding congratulatory signs and balloons and blowing car horns.

What was all the commotion about?

The band had won the U.S. Scholastic Band National Championship (4th division) and Grand National title.  The band competed against 79 other bands with a score of 98.575 out of 100, the highest score ever in the competition's 30 year history.  They also earned the Marine Corps Espirit de Corps award.

What was really amazing was that the Nazareth band defended every title from the previous year.  Winning each and every title back to back is totally unbelievable. 

The band came home with its national award in tow, a 7 foot trophy and banner.

The U.S. Scholastic officials will visit the school to formally present the Grand National Trophy and banner.  No date has been set for this event to date.

All the band members, consisting of 100 middle school and high school students, must certainly be in their glory.