The Baldwin marching band had a big weekend, earning first place in a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association competition on Saturday. 

The band presented its show “Mechanized” at the competition, one of several PIMBA events that is held throughout the fall. Baldwin earned a score of 77.125, giving the Highlanders the win. 

Junior color guard member Cindy Flaherty said the victory was huge for all members of the marching band.

“I am ecstatic. I’m so proud of the entire band,” Flaherty said. 

All PIMBA competitions were canceled last year due to Covid-19. Restrictions also limited movement during performances at football games.

Flaherty said marching band members know they are lucky to be able to perform this year. Work on this year’s show began last spring, with some days lasting 13 hours in the summer, she said. 

“It’s really nice to have a show this year where we’re actually doing marching band,” Flaherty said.

Sophomore drummer Antonia Mogan is in her second year of marching band. Covid-19 created an interesting first year for her, since it was difficult to learn as a first year with the restrictions and loss of time. 

“I would have rather had a full season last year, but it gave me time to figure out how to do this activity,” Mogan said. 

Even after all the effort and physically demanding practices for band members the past six months, the PIMBA win came as a surprise, she said.

“You don’t know it’s worth it until you hear the crowd,” Mogan said. 

Baldwin is hosting the next PIMBA competition on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.