Sterling Marching Band Runner-Up in State Marching Parade at Columbus

The marching band at Sterling Public Schools earned the Class D Runner-up title and plaque in the 2026 Nebraska State Marching Parade held in Columbus on October 10. Twenty marching bands participated in the parade. Sterling's band was among six marching bands in Class D. Osmond Public Schools won championship title in the Class D division.
Sterling's 26-member marching band marched and performed in a parade with a route two miles long, finishing at the downtown square in Columbus before a large audience and judges.
The Sterling Marching Band recently competed in the Harvest of Harmony Festival in Grand Island where they placed 12th out of 36 bands. This year's theme was the 250th Anniversary of America.
In the State Marching Parade, Sterling's marching band improved from 40th to 22nd place for having the best sound in all classes.
“We may be a small school, but as a teacher I push these students pretty hard,” said Derrick Gossard, vocal and instrumental music instructor at Sterling Public Schools. “These students are pro-active. I know we're a small school that can be just as good as a bigger school and these students stepped it up for me.”
This is Gossard's ninth year of teaching instrumental and vocal music at Sterling Public Schools. “I like helping kids find their place. Learning music is beneficial to everyone and I also like incorporating life-skills in my music classes that are intuitive and will help the students when they get out into the world.”
Junior Drum Major Ellen Winter said the teamwork at every practice has made Sterling's marching band better in its sound. “I try to stay positive and encourage the students as much as I can,” said Winter. “Sometimes while conducting the band I just stop, because I am astonished at how great the band sounds. They sound so good, I didn't know they could do that.”
“We have five great leaders,” said Gossard. They include Trevor Pella, David Roecker, Joie Janssen, Ellen Winter and Taylor Truscott. He added that senior members Beau Kaster and Colt Little are great players as well.
Seniors Taylor Truscott, Beau Kaster, Colt Little and David Roecker have all participated in band since the fifth grade. Although senior Joie Janssen hasn't been in band as long as the others, she is considering pursuing a career in music therapy.
Truscott said the Sterling marching band has put a lot of work into developing their maneuvers for the marching competitions such as quick turns, waves, ripples as well as row by row maneuvers.
According to Winter, the judges gave the drum major some great ideas to consider for future competitions.
Judging is based on three categories, music, marching and general effects. According to Gossard, the Sterling marching band gained additional pointers due to the judges' feedback.
Sterling's marching band practices during the first period of the school day. Sterling's high school and 29 member middle school band practiced together a couple of times before the State Marching Parade. Some of Sterling's middle school band students participated in the State Marching Parade due to other commitments by Sterling's high school band members on October 10.
“These band members are one of the hardest working crews I have had this year,” Gossard said.