Norwood High School Marching Band Captures Fourth Consecutive State Title at Cawley Stadium-October 24, 1977

Mustangs Win Class A Division at Massachusetts State Marching Band Competition

Continuing an extraordinary multi-year dynasty, the Norwood High School Mustangs marching band captured first place in the Class A division at the annual Massachusetts State High School Marching Band competition held yesterday at Cawley Stadium in Lowell. Performing before roughly 2,000 spectators, the Norwood musicians accumulated 112 points to secure the top spot among 18 competing bands.

Under the expert direction of Paul M. Alberta and Jack Bernazzani, the band triumphed in a rigorous day-long tournament sponsored by the Massachusetts Instrumental Conductors Association. Bands were evaluated across strict judging categories encompassing music performance, marching and maneuvering, and inspection. Nearby Quincy High School‘s 116-member band finished fifth in Class A, trailing South Hadley, Beverly, and Methuen.

The state championship victory follows closely on the heels of another strong weekend showing in Plymouth, where the Mustang band finished second overall behind the Portsmouth, New Hampshire High School Band. This latest win marks Norwood’s fourth consecutive year claiming the state Class A crown, cementing the band’s reputation as a premier musical powerhouse in New England.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger