Battle of the Bands Results
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWayne High School Pep Band Crowned Overall Winner at Ponca’s First Battle of the Pep Bands
On Friday, January 17th, the Wayne High School Pep Band traveled to Ponca Public School to participate in the inaugural Battle of the Pep Bands, an event filled with music, competition, and community spirit. Hosted by the Ponca Music Boosters, this unique fundraiser brought together pep bands from Wayne, Ponca, and Creighton for a night of friendly rivalry and entertainment.
The event, a creative fundraiser for the Ponca Music Boosters, aimed to raise funds for the purchase of a new set of timpani for Ponca’s band. Sponsors included Oak Trail Inn & Villages, Bank of Dixon County, Highland Golf Course, The Roots Salon, Outlaw Pizza & Cozy Cottages, and Thrivent. Attendees had the chance to win a Solo Stove Fire Pit, a Yeti cooler, a round of golf at Highland Golf Course with a cart, and tickets to the Orpheum in Sioux City.
A unique aspect of the fundraiser allowed each band to keep the donations collected in their designated “donation drum” from the free-will entrance fees. This added an element of camaraderie and direct support for the participating bands.
The Battle of the Pep Bands challenged the three schools to rotate through five pep band tunes, with the rule that no band could repeat a song already performed by another. Between musical sets, the evening featured lighthearted contests, including a duck call competition using reed instruments, a “trombone revving” challenge, a “best tuba tune” performance, and a drumline battle. Other contests included the longest sustained note competition, and non-musical awards for the best-dressed band and most spirited fan base.
When the night’s awards were tallied, all three bands had plenty to celebrate:
- Best Dressed Band: Creighton
- Best Duck Call, Best Drumline, and Best Fan Base: Ponca
- Longest Sustained Note, Best Trombone Rev, and Best Tuba Tune: Wayne
The Wayne High School Pep Band was also named the Overall Winner of the 2025 Battle of the Pep Bands. Their spirited performances, combined with their success in the various competitions, earned them the top honor of the evening.
The event was a resounding success, bringing together local communities for an evening of fun, music, and support for school bands. The Ponca Music Boosters expressed their gratitude to the sponsors, attendees, and participants who made the night memorable and helped contribute to the future of their music program.
Wayne High School’s victory was a testament to the talent and dedication of its students, and they returned home proud to represent their school on such a unique and celebratory stage.