For 2017, Youth In Music Marching Band Championships are presented by Chops Inc. at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 14 from 9am-10pm. Chops Inc. is an all-age music & performance organization based in Minneapolis, MN. Chops offers performance opportunities in Chops Drum and Bugle Corps, Chops Percussion Indoor, and Chops Winter Guard. Their partnership with Youth In Music reflects their belief that the best approach to music education is through the incomparable experience of a well-supported school-based music curriculum. There is no greater platform for music education, specifically through the marching arts, in Minnesota and the upper Midwest than Youth In Music, and Chops proudly supports the efforts of the band directors, teachers, students, parents, and fans who make it possible for all.

Youth In Music Championships presented by Chops, Inc. spotlights 26 high school bands in competition for Class Championships, The Minnesota State Championships and The Youth In Music Upper Midwest Championship. Five other bands will perform in exhibition: University of Wisconsin LaCrosse Screaming Eagle Marching Band, North Dakota State University Goldstar Marching Band, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band and The Marine Band from New Orleans.

There are two sessions of competition during the day on October 14. Session 1 starts at 9am and features all 26 high school bands in competition for Class A, AA, AAA, AAAA Championships while only the Minnesota Bands are competing for their respective state championships in those same 4 classes. Also featured in this session is the Screaming Eagle Marching Band from UWL and The Goldstar Marching Band from NDSU. Session 2 at 7pm features the 4 class champions plus the 6 next highest scoring bands and they are competing for the Youth In Music Upper Midwest Championship Trophies. Tickets are available at www.youthinmusic.org and livestreaming of the event is available on the day of the event at https://www.youthinmusic.org/2017-video-streaming/

This year we recognize two distinguished band directors for their lifetime achievements in music education. Roger Bjorklund and John Greene will receive our Lifetime Achievement Award: The Butch Dufault YIMMY. Roger Bjorklund is known for his outstanding bands and recordings with the St. Anthony Village High School Bands. John Greene from District 196 is recognized for his outstanding jazz bands, marching bands and leadership in the marching arts of Minnesota. Join us at 4:30pm to honor these two outstanding educators.

Youth In Music provides opportunities for students to perform and engage in experiences that will enrich their lives through artistic expression. We believe that arts education is a critical part of a complete education and that communities thrive when supporters, volunteers, families and friends collaborate with students as our number one priority.

Student Scholarships:
Youth In Music is proud to provide five $500 scholarships to students who participate in our Marching Band Championships each year. We have been able to increase the number of scholarships because of the support we have received from our sponsors and volunteers.

Thank you to our 2017 Sponsors: Chops, Inc., Schmitt Music, Grand Tours, YAMAHA Instruments, Stanbury Uniforms, and the US Marine Corps.

Bands will start warming up in the Commons at 6:30am on October 14, 2017 and representatives will be available for interviews throughout the day.

2016 YIMMY Recipients
YIMMY for Best Performer – Clarinet Soloist Autumn Broughten, Waseca HS
YIMMY for Best Drum Major – Sioux Falls Roosevelt HS
Spirit of YIMMY – Eau Claire North HS
YIMMY Butch Dufault Memorial – Steve Olsen
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2014 YIM Scholarship Winners
John Mallow – Eden Prairie HS
Laura Lunde – Hastings HS
Kari Felland – Rosemount HS
Tony Hanto – Rosemount HS

2014 YIMMY Recipients
YIMMY for Best Performer – Trumpet player from Minnetonka
YIMMY for Best Drum Major – Rosemount HS
Spirit of YIMMY – Chippewa Falls HS
YIMMY Butch Dufault Memorial – Tom Haugen

Minnesota State Championship Class A
1 Hastings 79.3
2 Minnetonka 78.4
3 Champlin Park 76.8
4 Andover 74.3
5 Anoka 72.5
6 Coon Rapids 70
7 Pipestone 64.1
8 Blaine 57.8

Outstanding Winds Hastings
Outstanding Percussion Hastings
Outstanding Colorguard Minnetonka

Class AA
Chippewa Falls 66.8

Outstanding Winds Chippewa Falls
Outstanding Percussion Chippewa Falls
Outstanding Colorguard Chippewa Falls

Minnesota State Championship Class AAA
1 Rosemount 92
2 Eden Prairie 91
3 Eastview 88.5
4 Marshall 84.8

Outstanding Winds Rosemount
Outstanding Percussion Eden Prairie
Outstanding Colorguard Rosemount

Full Recaps are available on our Scores page.

YIMMY Best Performer – Madison Holtze from Rosemount
YIMMY Spirit Award – Waseca High School
YIMMY Best Drum Major – Rosemount HS
YIMMY Butch Dufault Memorial, Lifetime Achievement Award – Family of Butch Dufault

SCHOLARSHIPS
Molly Westerberg – Eden Prairie High School
Eric Severeide – Eden Prairie High School
Rachel Seiler – West De Pere High School
Henry Wei – Sioux Falls Lincoln

YIM CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Daytime Show)

CLASS A
73.4 Hastings HS, MN
71.9 Andover HS, MN
70.3 Champlin Park HS, MN
67.3 Anoka HS, MN
65.7 Minnetonka HS, MN
65.0 Coon Rapids HS, MN

CLASS AA
78.2 Waseca HS, MN
77.5 Rochester Lourdes HS, MN
69.9 West De Pere HS, WI
62.2 Pipestone Area HS, MN

CLASS AAA
90.0 Rosemount HS, MN
88.6 Eden Prairie HS, MN
86.3 Irondale HS, MN
84.7 Sioux Falls Lincoln HS, SD
83.7 Marshall HS, MN
82.7 Bellevue East HS, NE
75.8 Davenport Central HS, IA

EXHIBITION
Minne-Brass Drum Corps
University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse

YIM GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS (Evening Show)
90.0 Rosemount, MN (Guard)
88.7 Eden Prairie, MN (Winds, Percussion)
87.8 Irondale HS, MN
83.7 Sioux Falls Lincoln HS, SD
82.0 Bellevue East HS, NE
80.3 Marshall, MN
75.2 Waseca, MN
71.9 Davenport Central HS, IA
71.4 Rochester Lourdes HS, MN
70.4 Hastings, MN

EXHIBITION
University of Minnesota-Duluth
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugold Band

Full Recaps are available for both shows on our Scores page.