Photo submitted to the Times Observer The Eisenhower Marching Band, under the direction of Mr. Mark Napolitan began its season Monday with band camp.

EISENHOWER – Twenty-nine Eisenhower students began their fall marching band season this week as they prepare to take the field during home football games and competitions.

The marching band is young, with only one senior and nine new participants. The band includes students in sixth through 12th grades.

Junior Emily Hagadorn has been named the band’s non-conducting drum major, and section leaders Ella Wiltsie and Carly Russell have also assumed leadership roles within the young team.

“We are a competitive band, we are proud to be still competing along with performing at home football games,” said assistant director Jennifer Hale.

This year, the marching band’s show is a mashup of Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s entitled “Pictures on Bald Mountain.” The show is a mashup of two composer pieces, “Night on Bald Mountain” and “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

“It is a darker show. Many will recognize the music even if they don’t realize they have heard it'” Hale said.

Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain was most notably used in the 1940 animated film Fantasia.

The marching band’s busy season will open on Aug. 23, when they will perform the new show at the first home football game of the season. On Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. the band will take part in the All County Exhibition, hosted by the Youngsville Marching Band this year but held at War Memorial Field in Warren.

While the marching band has many fundraisers throughout the year, Hale stated that the band is always looking for donations.

“We have a considerable travel expense each season to attend competitions held mostly in the Pittsburgh area,” Hale said.

Donations can be sent to Eisenhower Middle-Senior High School, Attn: EHS Band, 3700 Route 957, Russell, PA 16345. The students will also do a tag-days event on September 13 at Walmart in Warren.