The Nazareth Area High School Marching Band has reason to be proud. Their hard work paid off with their third national title in four years. 

In early November, the band traveled to Annapolis, Maryland for the United States Scholastic Band Association Competition. For three days, they competed against numerous bands in  Group IV, said NAHS band director Brad Boandl. There are six groups in all, determined by band size. The Nazareth band consists of 101 members, including 20 girls in the color guard, he said.

"I thought they did their job," Boandl said.

Ten judges decided the band's fate.

"They had it. I knew it when they were done," he said. "I think, for the most part, they knew it too. You could see it in their eyes. They knew it."

Boandl said the band has competed in nine competitions this fall and performed at 10 football games. They have band camp in June and start their season in August, he said. For this year's show, Boandl chose the theme "The Climb."

"I told the kids it was for our climb back to the top," Boandl said. "I jokingly said it and they took it to heart."

The band didn't win first place in 2009. Boandl thinks "The Climb" became the band's motto. They wanted the national title and they worked hard to get it.

"We were really ready for the challenge," said percussionist Dillon Tanzos and senior officer.

Chad Butz, a senor officer trumpet player, said he wasn't nervous, but the freshman were. With as many competitions as he has gone to eventually the fear goes away, he explained.

Saxophonist James Pensack, also a senior officer, said nerves weren't a problem before the performance. But afterward, he remembered some advice he was given about how to know if the performance was award winning. 

"The best show you have is the one that you don't remember," Pensack said. "All I remember is walking off the field and thinking 'I don't know what I just did.'" 

The worst part of the competition is waiting to find out how the band did, "that moment of uncertainty is kind of nerve racking," Pensack said. 

Now that the season is over, the seven senior officers reflect fondly on their years in high school marching band. Many agreed that one of the most fun parts of marching band were the bus trips to and from competitions. They would sing on the bus, Kate Landes said. The alma mater, Tanzos added. The saddest part though was seeing some of the parents cry at the end of the final completion, said Alyssa Boandl, including her mom. For other parents, the reaction was pure joy.

"My mom said this is the greatest thing that could have happened my senior year," Pensack said. 

As for the future, these seniors plan to attend college. They just haven't decided which ones yet. Drum major David Yerger, a saxophonist, said he plans to minor in music. Landes, who plays the mellophone, plans to major in music. The others would like to participate in their college marching bands, if possible. 

For now, they have their memories like being greeted after the competition with confetti, towns people and a parade led by the Nazareth Fire Department.