PIERCE, Neb. -- One northeast Nebraska high school welcomed bands from all over the region to participate in a battle of musical talents.

The 2022 Pierce Marching Invitational took place Wednesday, inviting high school marching bands and color their color guard teams from all over Nebraska.

Bands were able to choose their own theme for their performance along with three songs to perform for the judges to score and the crowd to applaud.

Crofton Community School's band director, Ashley Leader, says her band has been coming to the competition in Pierce for 13 years and put in significant hours to be prepared.

"We start in March learning music, and then we have band camp in July and August, and we practice every morning," said Leader.

Band instructors at the event said Pierce provides a great opportunity to the smaller schools of the area and their bands to give them the spotlight to showcase their artistry and musicality.

Competing is where the band feels their success and reward from constant practicing, Crofton drum major Jenna Jackson said, noting the importance of the band's group effort.

"It's honestly the whole team working together to create, match those lines, create diagonals," Jackson said. "It's all as a team not just as an individual." 

This invitational is judged by panelists working in the industry from Northeast Community College and other regional locations.

All schools qualified for an award for their performance of excellence or above.