BROOKINGS (10-14-26) — The 22nd annual Youth in Music Marching Band Championships took place last weekend. The event is one of the largest high school marching band events in the Upper Midwest.
And this year, one of the top awards went to Brookings School District Superintendent Summer Schultz.
School Board President Teri Johnson made the announcement at last night’s board meeting… “She was awarded the 2026 Youth in Music Outstanding Administrator. And this is just what they wrote at Youth in Music — ‘we understand the vital support time and effort that administrators put into supporting quality music programs.’ And she was recognized this past Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis for that award.”
Johnson said that’s not the only music award Schultz is winning this month… “She was also awarded the South Dakota Music Education Association Distinguished Administrator Award. ‘You were nominated by the band directors in your district, voted on by the SDMEA board,’ and so she will receive this award at a reception Friday night, October 30 in Rapid City at the All-Star Choir, and that will be at the Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.”
Schultz said the real recognition should go to the band students and their families… “All of the recognition goes to them — their families. If you’ve ever watched one of those shows, it’s like the community moves in. I mean we bought that trailer (for the band) that so many community members helped support — because it’s very expensive — we paid such a small amount as a district, because the community and the public and the families paid for it. My gosh, I honestly think the whole community shows up when our band shows up.”
This year at Youth in Music, a total of 31 high school marching bands performed. Brookings High School placed fifth in their class.
— Brookings Radio News
