TRIPLE CROWN TRIUMPH: Notre Dame Marching Band Dominates 2024 Awards Season — Abby Kleist, Victoria Mac & Elijah Trent Lead Unstoppable Sweep in Historic Showcase of Talent and Tradition

The Notre Dame Marching Band has long stood as one of college football’s most iconic institutions—a living, breathing symbol of excellence, tradition, and innovation. But in 2024, the band didn’t just live up to its legendary status—it redefined it. This season, the Notre Dame Marching Band, known affectionately as the NDMB, completed what can only be described as an unprecedented sweep of the year’s top marching band awards, catapulting its status from elite to untouchable. Central to this awe-inspiring achievement were three standout members whose unmatched dedication, discipline, and artistry not only galvanized their peers but caught the attention of national panels, judges, and fans across the country. Drummer Abby Kleist, Drum Major Victoria Mac, and clarinet virtuoso Elijah Trent each brought an intensity and artistry that reshaped the trajectory of the band’s success. Together, they formed the triumvirate at the heart of the NDMB’s Triple Crown Triumph.

This unforgettable campaign started long before the first whistle of the football season. Over the summer, the NDMB engaged in intensive rehearsals, grueling summer camps, and countless hours of sectional work that prepared them for what would become the most extraordinary season in their storied history. At the center of the drumline was Abby Kleist, whose reputation for precision, explosiveness, and command had already earned her regional attention. By mid-season, Kleist’s thunderous snare solos became synonymous with Notre Dame halftime shows, often drawing spontaneous standing ovations from fans not typically known to rise for marching band features. Abby wasn’t merely playing percussion—she was orchestrating emotion. Her timing was flawless, her energy infectious, and her execution a masterclass in rhythmic storytelling. She became not only the heartbeat of the NDMB but also its emotional engine. Judges at the National Collegiate Drumline Invitational called her performance in the season finale “a tour de force that combined athletic rigor with artistic fluidity.”

Then there was Victoria Mac. The role of drum major at Notre Dame is not just ceremonial; it’s a position that demands poise, leadership, choreography, and unshakable focus. Victoria took all of that and added another layer—a spark of theatrical genius that turned each pregame and halftime into a carefully choreographed epic. With gestures both subtle and sweeping, Victoria commanded the field with the same finesse that a maestro wields a baton in a grand concert hall. What set her apart wasn’t just the clarity of her commands or the elegance of her motion, but the way she infused every move with purpose. She was a communicator, a translator between the page and the performance, between the band and the crowd. Her pregame routines, especially the emotionally stirring salute before the Michigan State game, are already being studied by other drum majors around the country. She received the National Golden Baton Award for Outstanding Collegiate Field Leadership—the first ever awarded to a Notre Dame drum major and the first time a recipient swept both the judges’ and audience choice vote.

The third member of this exceptional trio, Elijah Trent, brought something entirely different—a kind of quiet mastery that elevated the melodic soul of the NDMB. A senior clarinetist, Elijah had long been respected for his musical skill and tonal control, but in 2024, he emerged as something far greater: an artist whose solos could silence a stadium. Known for his work during the band’s signature arrangement of “Danny Boy” and a new experimental medley that fused traditional Irish melodies with modern pop, Elijah became the spiritual voice of the ensemble. His performance during the “Echoes of Erin” halftime special was named one of the “Top 5 Collegiate Musical Performances of the Year” by Marching Monthly, a rare distinction for a woodwind player. But it wasn’t just the judges who took notice—fans routinely flooded social media with videos of his performances, praising not only his musical ability but the visible emotion with which he played. He closed his season with a solo rendition of “Ode to Notre Dame” that left even the most hardened alumni in tears.

Together, these three musicians didn’t just shine—they created a gravitational pull that lifted the entire band to new heights. Their performances became the cornerstone of a season that saw the NDMB win Best Overall Collegiate Band, Best Halftime Composition, and the Director’s National Citation for Innovation in Marching Arts. These awards, known collectively as the “Marching Triple Crown,” had never before been awarded to a single university in the same season. The sweep stunned the collegiate music world, breaking a near-decade streak of Southern conference domination and re-establishing Notre Dame not just as a football powerhouse, but as the new epicenter of musical pageantry.

Behind the scenes, Band Director Daniel Martinez orchestrated the overall campaign with the steady hand of a seasoned visionary. With over 20 years of experience, Martinez has led the band through triumphs and transitions, but he admitted in post-season interviews that this year was different. “You don’t get a group like this very often. Abby, Victoria, Elijah—they’re not just talented. They’re transformative,” he said. “They challenge everyone around them to be better, to think bigger. That’s how championships are won, not just on talent but on elevation.” Under his guidance, the band took bold risks: integrating LED-lit instruments into a nighttime show, experimenting with a surround-sound effect through quadraphonic speaker placement, and commissioning original arrangements from alumni composers.

These creative choices weren’t just about flash—they were about pushing boundaries. The NDMB’s 2024 season became a study in innovation as much as execution. The show themes explored everything from ancient Celtic mythology to tributes to modern civil rights movements. They found a way to honor the past while blazing a path into the future. And the audiences responded in kind. Attendance at NDMB-centric events, such as BandFest and the South Bend Music Showcase, shattered previous records. Merchandise sales for the band spiked 240% over the season. Social media engagement ballooned as fans around the world shared clips, reactions, and heartfelt messages of support. The NDMB wasn’t just performing—they were connecting.

At the heart of all this success were the quiet, grueling hours that no one sees. Abby Kleist would arrive two hours early to work out patterns alone under stadium lights. Victoria Mac would spend weekends filming and reviewing her own salutes in slow motion to perfect her gestures. Elijah Trent was often found rehearsing in the practice hall long after others had gone home, tweaking the phrasing of a single measure until it was emotionally perfect. These were not casual participants in a hobby—they were elite athletes of the arts, and their work ethic was nothing short of Olympic.

As the awards rolled in and the season reached its emotional crescendo, Notre Dame hosted a special event: “Marching Forward,” a celebratory showcase and sendoff held in the iconic Golden Dome rotunda. Each of the three stars was honored with personal tributes from university leaders, alumni, and even members of the football team. It was a moment of unity and recognition that symbolized what the NDMB had become—a vital organ in the body of Notre Dame, pulsing with pride, purpose, and profound artistry.

Looking ahead, the legacy of this season already seems destined to become a cornerstone in the band’s mythology. Future members will study the solos of Abby Kleist, the salutes of Victoria Mac, and the phrasing of Elijah Trent not just to replicate their excellence, but to understand the mindset that made it possible. Recruitment interest has surged, with a record number of high school seniors citing the band—not just the university—as their top reason for applying to Notre Dame. The university’s administration has taken notice too, announcing plans to expand the band’s facilities, increase scholarship offerings, and designate Marching Arts as a signature cultural program on par with athletics and academics.

The 2024 NDMB season didn’t just end with awards—it ended with an imprint on the soul of the university and on the national stage. It proved that music, movement, and unity could be as awe-inspiring as any fourth-quarter comeback or buzzer-beater shot. Through the tireless brilliance of three exceptional young leaders—Abby Kleist, Victoria Mac, and Elijah Trent—the Notre Dame Marching Band achieved the unthinkable: a perfect harmony of talent, timing, and triumph. Their legacy will reverberate not just through the hallowed halls of South Bend, but through every stadium, festival, and field where young musicians dare to dream of greatness.