BCS Bands Bring Home Honors at Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival

The sounds of brass, percussion and cheering crowds filled Enka High School’s football stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, as marching bands from across the region took the field for the 2026 Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival.

The annual festival, which began in 1975 with just four bands, has grown into one of Western North Carolina’s largest marching band events. Buncombe County Schools was well represented throughout this year’s competition, with bands from Charles D. Owen, North Buncombe, A.C. Reynolds, and T.C. Roberson high schools earning honors across their respective divisions.

“Land of the Sky is more than a marching band festival - it’s where students find their voice, directors share their passion, judges challenge us to grow, and hundreds of performers come together for one unforgettable moment,” said Enka High director of bands Kevin Young. “In this field, we aren’t competitors; we are musicians, educators, and students creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

North Buncombe High School had a standout day in Class 2-A. The Black Hawks took first place overall among the 1-A and 2-A divisions. They also earned first place in colorguard, percussion, and music, along with third place for drum major.

Charles D. Owen High School swept four Class 1-A performance categories, earning first place in colorguard, drum major, percussion, and music.

A.C. Reynolds High School competed in the 3-A Division, earning first place in music, second place in percussion, and third place in colorguard. The Rockets finished second place overall in the division.

In the 3-AA Division, T.C. Roberson High School earned first place for drum major, second place in colorguard, percussion, and music, and second place overall.

Enka Middle School opened the festival with “The Star Spangled Banner.” As host of the festival, the Enka High School Marching Band gave an exhibition performance, and Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band also performed exhibitions that showed high school competitors what opportunities exist at the college level.

The festival showcased the musicianship, precision, and teamwork that students build throughout marching band season - along with the work of the directors, staff members, volunteers, and families who support them.

Congratulations to all of our BCS student musicians and performers on a tremendous showing at the 2026 Land of the Sky Marching Band Festival!

More photos are in this Google Drive.

An Enka High color guard member points skyward while the moon hangs overhead. An Owen High student holds a trophy. A North Buncombe High student poses with a trophy. North Buncombe High marching band members celebrate. A.C. Reynolds High students march in their show. T.C. Roberson High students march while backlit by the sun. A T.C. Roberson High saxophonist leans as part of a marching configuration. Owen High performers act out a bull-fighting scene.