Cary, NC, Nov. 3, 2025 — Marching bands from across North Carolina and Virginia filled Cary High School’s Cooper Field on Saturday for the 66th Annual Cary Band Day, one of the longest-running high school marching competitions in the Southeast.
After a full day of performances, Sanderson High School and Green Hope High School were named grand champions in their respective divisions. Sanderson earned the Classes 1-3A Grand Champion title, with Millbrook High School as Reserve Grand Champion. Green Hope claimed the Classes 4-6A Grand Champion, followed by Panther Creek as Reserve.
South Wake County Schools Results
Bands from southern Wake County fared well, earning several of the day’s class championships and caption awards.
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Holly Springs High School won Class 4A, earning first place in Music Performance, Visual Effect, and General Effect categories, and also received top scores for Percussion and Color Guard within its class.
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Felton Grove High School took first in Class 2A, finishing ahead of other schools in its group in Music Performance (Ensemble), Visual Performance, and General Effect. The band also earned caption awards for Percussion and Color Guard.
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Willow Spring High School placed third in Class 5A, performing strongly in Music Ensemble and Visual Effect categories.
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Fuquay-Varina High School earned third in Class 2A, with consistent marks in Percussion and General Effect.
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Middle Creek High School placed fourth in Class 4A, receiving strong marks for Visual Effect and Music Performance.
Class champions
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Class 1A – Clayton High School
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Class 2A – Felton Grove High School
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Class 3A – Sanderson High School
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Class 4A – Holly Springs High School
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Class 5A – Enloe High School
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Class 6A – Green Hope High School
Event Photos by Official Photographer, Mick Stewart Photography. More photos available at www.mickstewartphotography.com.
Event overview
Cary Band Day, hosted annually by Cary High School, began in 1959 and continues to attract high school bands from across North Carolina, including Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Greenville, and Charlotte, as well as ensembles from Virginia.
Saturday’s event opened early morning and ran late into the evening, concluding with exhibition performances by the Cary High School Marching Band and the Appalachian State University Marching Mountaineers…