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Welcome to the home of Grand Rapids Bands! We are located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, approximately 100 miles south of the Canadian Border. 
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Our program offers students a comprehensive instrumental music education experience with concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching band, pep band, music theory and composition, and many small ensembles. 
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We take pride in our past accomplishments and work hard to always be better at what we do!

The National Association of Music Merchants has selected Grand Rapids as one of the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education. (Grand Rapids was also selected in 2013)

 

This designation recognizes the amazing support we have throughout our community for music and the arts. 

 

Thank you so very much for everything you as a community do for our program!

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In the News...

Grand Rapids Marching Band Continues Successful Program After 40 Years

One tradition is still going strong after 40 years: the Grand Rapids High School marching band​. (Northern News Now, August, 2025)

Grand Rapids Marching Band Wraps Up Another Successful Season

On Saturday, at U.S. Bank Stadium, they went head to head with the best of the best bands in Minnesota. It was the Youth in Music Championships.

They finished 4th for class AAA and are the Minnesota State Class AAA Championship Runners Up for the second year in a row. Plus, they earned 5th best band in the state overall.

One of the band directors, Dale Gunderson, shared more on Wednesday via Zoom. “We talk a lot about growth mindset and believing in the process and the culture. We can’t control a subjective art form like this, as far as first or last. We focus on each performance being better than the last,” Gunderson said. (WDIO TV, 10/18/23)

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Marching Band Takes First at Competitions​

The Grand Rapids High School Marching Band’s show “The Hat of the Matter” placed first overall at the Prairie Colors Marching Band competition on Saturday afternoon in Eden Prairie. (Herald-Review, 9/13/23)

Grand Rapids Marching Band: Cadence of Excellence

The Grand Rapids High School marching band has been a leader in the competitive marching band world for over three decades. They are the only competitive marching band north of the Twin Cities and have been taking home top awards for many years. The program consists of over one hundred kids and lead by Director of Bands, Dale Gunderson. (WDIO November 10, 2022

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