High School Marching Bands Gear Up for Competition Season

Our high school marching bands are transitioning from crowd-pleasing Friday night halftime routines to full-scale competition season. After several weeks of refining their shows, the ensembles from Jefferson, Washington, and Kennedy High Schools are fine-tuning every step, song, flag wave, and solo for expert judges. These dedicated groups of student musicians and directors have poured countless hours into bringing these complex visual and musical concepts to life. This season, all three bands are taking the field with bold productions that highlight stories of self-discovery, emotional growth, and bold transformations. 

At Jefferson High School, the approximately 100-member ensemble is bringing their production, "Transcendent," to life. Set to music from Saint-Saëns’ "Bacchanale," Coldplay’s "Fix You," and "The Greatest Show," the show looks at honoring one's history and traditions while moving boldly into the future. In its first year as a volunteer, opt-in band program, the students are taking more ownership of the program. Student leaders manage equipment logistics and social media, while drum majors run rehearsals and direct a custom physical training regimen to keep members contest-ready. 

Meanwhile, Washington High School’s 75-member band is bringing raw emotion to the field with their show, entitled "Scorned." It traces heartbreak, acceptance, and personal growth through the songs "El Tango de Roxanne," "Cry Me a River," and Mama Cass's "Make Your Own Kind of Music." The show highlights its student leaders through dynamic solos and small ensembles, including a saxophone quartet, a color guard trio, a synthesizer soloist, and a featured vocalist.

Rounding out the lineup, the 142-member Kennedy Marching Band delivers an empowering message with their show, "Awakening." Powered by Radiohead’s "Creep," Evanescence’s "Bring Me To Life," and Imagine Dragons’ "Natural," the production reminds audiences that every individual is unique, important, and enough. Though fielding a fairly young ensemble this year, the band brings a spirited, tenacious energy to the field. 

Beyond the scores and trophies, this season represents hundreds of hours of hard work, growth, and leadership, all culminating in a few unforgettable minutes under the stadium lights. Come out and support these talented performers at the Metro Marching Band Classic this October at Kingston Stadium, as all three high school bands take the field