The Boerne High School marching band made some noise in the music world, securing a $15,000 prize from none other than Metallica after their performance struck a chord with the metal legends. The Mighty Greyhound Band of Boerne High School didn't just play Metallica's music, they owned it, clinching the top spot in the first-ever Metallica Marching Band Competition. Their rendition of "Master of Puppets" was one for the books, and certainly for the win.

The Texas ensemble shared their newfound glory on April 29, posting a photo of the gleaming new equipment array on Facebook as a thank you to Metallica for the generous prize. According to MySA, the spoils of their victory included five TAMA brand drums, with equipment upgrades sufficient to outfit fresh-faced freshmen, and support financially burdened students. The Greyhounds tied with New York's Malverne High School, but Boerne emerged as the lone star victors from Texas.

This victory wasn't just another trophy for the case. It was a testament to these high schoolers' musical prowess, as they riffed through "Seek and Destroy" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" to sway the judges. But the real score here was the boon to the band's resources, courtesy of James Hetfield and company.

Using the competition to enhance their band's hits, Boerne High School band director Daniel Person told MySA in an email, "The prize money was used to buy an entirely new bassline to replace those used since 2010." The investment wasn't just in new drums and brass, it also ensured that "our incoming freshmen all have instruments for the marching and concert season." Not a bad way to kick off a school year, with a lot more metal in their march.

Indeed, who knew the hallowed halls of Boerne High School would echo with the sounds of Metallica, and resonate with the generosity of the band that's ruled rock for decades. Fox San Antonio underscored the Greyhound Band's triumph, painting a picture of a high school band that’s now better equipped than ever, ready to rock their future performances with equipment straight from the masters of heavy metal themselves.