Erath High marching band wins state title

ERATH – A simple dare led Erath High band director Kenny Broussard and his band to a state title.
Before the band season kicked off, Broussard got a challenge from a college buddy who dared him to teach his band a fancy skit with an Italian twist.
During the show, the band played Italian songs and served pizza, meatballs, and spaghetti at an Italian restaurant setting.
The performance was titled “Bouon Appetitio,” which means “Enjoy Your Meal With Loved Ones.”
On Monday night at McNeese University, the Pride of Erath High Marching Band won the 2025 Louisiana Class 3A State Marching Championship.
They outperformed 15 other bands in the Class C division, which includes groups with 80 to 100 members.
This is just the second year that state bands have competed in the LEMA State Band Competition. Previously, marching bands took part in the Showcase at UL-Louisiana, where they faced both smaller and larger bands.
Last year, Erath finished fourth in the Class 3A C state competition.
Broussard has led the EHS band since 2003.
“It feels good to win the state title,” Broussard said just after learning Erath High had won. “There are so many good bands we competed against. Any of them could have won.”
E.D. White High School from Thibodaux took second place, while North Vermilion High finished seventh in the same class as EHS.
Even after seeing a flawless performance, Broussard wasn’t sure it would be enough to win. The announcer started calling out placements, beginning with number 10.
When the third-place band was announced, only E.D. White and Erath were left as possible winners.
The announcer named E.D. White as the second-place finisher, then announced Erath High School as the state champion.
This was the second week in a row that the Erath Marching Band was named grand champion.
The previous week, Erath High was named Grand Champion at the Sulphur marching competition.
Erath High senior Drake Wright said that hard work helped the band win the state title. He wrote a statement Monday night about what the victory means to him.
“Winning state is proof of the hard work paying off,” said Wright. “It’s a reward that comes with so many memories of the Pride of Erath. We, as seniors, will look back at this celebration as the culmination of years of hard work, growth, discipline, and dedication put in to lead us to the final moments, holding the state champion trophy.
“It’s a togetherness that captures all of us joined together in memories lasting forever. And finally, it’s a reminder of the forever home we have together in the Pride of Erath.
“Thank you to my fellow band members and parents for the constant work and support you have put into this year. And most of all, thank you to our wonderful staff, without whom none of this would have been possible. Your patience, love, and support will never go unnoticed.
“Forever thankful for this opportunity,” Wright closed.