The Mighty Canton Band covered familiar ground last week, traveling to the Alamodome in San Antonio to compete against some of the top programs in the state at this year’s Class 4A UIL State Marching Contest.

Canton has been no stranger to excelling on the biggest stages, entering the year with a streak of 29 consecutive UIL 1st Division Ratings and 14 consecutive appearances at the UIL State Marching Contest. With a 30th consecutive UIL 1st Division Rating already in the books, the Mighty Canton Band punched its ticket to the State Contest by placing first overall at the Area Contest back on Oct. 29.

Competing against 22 other 4A programs from across the state Nov. 9, Canton finished the preliminary round fourth overall with 20 total points.

The three judges in charge of grading the band’s musical performance placed Canton fourth, third and ninth respectively, while the two judges grading the band’s visual performance each placed Canton second.

Other top-10 finishers in the preliminary round included Anna in first with 11 points, China Spring in second with 15 points, Celina in third with 20 points, Sulphur Springs in fifth with 36 points, Canyon in sixth with 40 points, Davenport in seventh with 40 points, Randall in eighth with 42 points, Paris in ninth with 43 points and Calallen in 10th with 44 points.

Schools eliminated following the prelims included Floresville, Burnet, Lumberton, West Plains, Springtown, North Lamar, Alvarado, Gatesville, Bridge City, Hidalgo, Kaufman, Port Isabel and Grulla.

The Canton Band was given a brief break before returning to the turf at the Alamodome later the same evening for their finals performance.

Canton would put together another strong performance, leapfrogging from fourth to third and clinching a bronze medal after finishing with 16 total points. The three judges in charge of grading the band’s musical performance placed Canton fifth, third and fifth respectively, while the two judges in charge of the visual performance placed Canton first and second overall.

Celina would claim the gold medal at this year’s event with nine total points, while Anna narrowly edged out Canton for second with 11 total points. Other finishers included Sulphur Springs placing fourth with 25 points, China Spring placing fifth with 25 points, Canyon placing sixth with 29 points, Davenport placing seventh with 31 points, Calallen placing eighth with 38 points, Paris placing ninth with 44 points and Randall placing 10th with 47 points.

Canton’s third place finish at the State Contest marked the program’s 12th top-five finish since 1998. In their most recent appearance at State in 2021, the Canton Band placed second overall.