Bethel Salutes High School's National Champion Marching Band

BETHEL, Conn. -- The Bethel community saluted the high school's national champion marching band Friday afternoon with a parade through the district's educational complex.

Members of the Bethel Marching Band ride in a truck with the trophy it won earlier this month after taking first place at the U.S. Band championships in Allentown, Pa.
Photo Credit: *Tom Renner*

Members of the Bethel Marching Band celebrate at the parade.
Photo Credit: *Tom Renner*

Band director Damon Coachman, left, rides in the lead car with First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker and Dr. Kristen Brooks, the Assistant Superintendent of Bethel Public Schools.
Photo Credit: *Tom Renner*

Parents of students in the Bethel High School Marching Band support the band during Friday's parade.
Photo Credit: *Tom Renner*

Tom Renner

11/13/2016 9:35 p.m.

Band members, teachers administrators and First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker paraded around the campus in dump trucks with the 11-foot national championship trophy.

Bethe won first place at the USBands A Class Group II National Championships on Sunday, Nov. 6, in Allentown, Pa. Bethel finished unbeaten in 11 events this season. Its band, led by Damon Coachman, has 45 students. It includes brass and woodwind sections, a drum line, color guard and pit team.

The Wildcats also won awards for Esprit de Corps, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect and Best Color Guard. Twenty-five bands from across the country competed in the U.S. Bands competition.

Students and parents lined the parade route as the band also visited four other schools in the educational complex.

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