Rampart High School and The Classical Academy successfully defended their state marching band titles over the weekend, winning the finals of the 2025 Colorado Bandmasters Association State Championships in Class 4A and 2A, respectively.

For the TCA Titans, it was the sixth state championship in the last seven seasons, with their last finals loss coming in 2019 when Eaton High School edged them out by less than a point. The Rampart Regiment garnered their second straight title after an 18-year drought.

For both bands, it was the crowning achievement in a season that included hundreds of hours of practice, beginning with a grueling “band camp” under the hot August sun.

Christina Schwartz-Soper, TCA’s band director, said it was gratifying to finish with the top score, but that wasn’t the primary goal going into this season.

“Scores are fantastic, and hopefully they will validate our self-assessment and self-perception,” Schwartz-Soper said. “But when we perform the show it’s all about giving our best and doing our best, and having great pride in that. The score just puts a little icing on it.”

Keith Acuncius, director of the Rampart Regiment, said he started the year by challenging his students to build on the success they enjoyed in 2024.

“Take that bar, and raise it higher,” he said.

This year, the Rampart Regiment fielded 141 members, nearly 20 more than in 2024. 

“I’m proud of the growth we’ve been able to achieve since COVID, which was tough, and not just for us,” he said.

TCA marched 115 kids this year — more than one-sixth of the school’s 650-person student body.

Schwartz-Soper, who is in her 22nd year at TCA, said she was impressed by the performances of the other 2A competitors, particularly University Schools and Eaton High School, which placed second and third, respectively.

“It was great to see the University and Eaton perform at a high level this year. They were fantastic as well,” she said.

“Our main goal is not to beat another band, but to achieve as well as we can and celebrate that achievement — and the achievement of our peers, because we’re all doing the same work.”

Other Colorado Springs–based championship finalists: Air Academy (fourth place in 4A); Mesa Ridge (sixth in 4A); Pine Creek (third place in 5A); and Fountain-Fort Carson (seventh in 5A).

For Schwartz-Soper and the TCA band staff, there isn’t much time to savor this year’s title. Concert season has already begun, and in a few months it will be time to start thinking about the 2026 marching band season.

“Some of our staff has already started planning for next year,” she said. “We’ll be more intent about it come February and March.”

During a schoolwide celebration assembly on Thursday, Acuncius congratulated his band members before issuing yet another challenge.

“Celebrate this year’s victory and set your sights on even greater challenges,” said Acuncius, who is in his 11th year at Rampart. “Raise the bar.”