Nerves were high, but so was musicality as 15 Jefferson County high school marching bands took the field for their first performance of the season at the Jeffco Marching Band Festival held Sept. 19 at Jeffco Stadium.

Lakewood High School took first palace in the 5A division, which is home to bands from schools with the largest student population.

“It's not about the award,” said Andrew Komitor, junior. “But I think it's great to show how much time we put into it.”

Likewise, Lakewood High Drum Major Anna Hirschmann said winning the first competition of the season is a good benchmark to set for the season.

Other first place winners from the night were Bear Creek (4A), Conifer (3A) and D'Evelyn (2A).

Most schools will compete in five competitions throughout the season and an additional one if they make it to States.

Cory Goshhorn, band director at Arvada High School, said that he likes to bring his band to competitions to get feedback from judges to make their show the best it can be.

“We are one of the smaller bands, but we do a lot of band camp before school even starts,” Goshhorn said. Arvada is in the 2A division, the smallest of Tuesday nights competition. “My mantra with my students is that we're out here to perform the best possible show we can.”

Arvada senior Wesley Moore said he's looking forward to performing the rest of the season. But of of all, he's looking forward to the community he gets by being in marching band.

“It's a community thats really strong,” Moore said. “The students in marching band are bound like no other program. I'm looking forward to support from our band to other bands and from other bands to us. There is sometimes petty rivalries between high schools but this year, we're going to try to end that and have the entire Jeffco area support each other and lift each other up.”