Three marching bands will take the field on not only to debut their shows for the season to family, friends and the community, but also giving the students an opportunity to see the shows from the audience’s perspective and cheer on their marching band peers. Performing will be the Eisenhower Knights Marching Band, Warren Area High School Marching Band and the F2CS Blue and Gold Vanguard Marching Band, a combined band of both Frewsburg and Falconer Central School members.

Eisenhower’s marching band show entitled “Parade of the Crescent City: Music Sketches of the Big Easy” brings New Orleans flavor to the field. With the addition of 11 new members who previously marched with the Youngsville Marching Band, the Eisenhower band is 42 members strong this season.

“We’re improving fast this year,” said Eisenhower Field Captain Carly Russell.

Drum Major Emily Hagadorn added, “The new members are doing well and adapting to a new style”.

Warren Area High School Dragon Marching band rehearses for Saturday’s exhibition.

Standing atop the rehearsal tower, band Director Mark Napolitan smiled and said, “We’re tired. But excited for the show”.

“Better Together” is the title of this year’s Warren Dragon band show. Under the Direction of Aaron Reinard who says the show’s musical and leadership style reflects the belief that “We are better people when we choose to work together towards a common goal.” Reinard goes on to explain that several years ago an intentional choice was made to do away with form leadership titles in the band.

Whereas a traditional band has a Drum Major setting the tempo and leading the band Warren’s marching band does not. Instead relying on the rehearsal of consistent tempos and band members hearing and feeling the tempo as they perform their show.

Having been combined for a number of years with Sheffield area school band members, integration is nothing new for the Warren Area High School Marching Band and members numbers have not increased dramatically. With most of the Youngsville students opting to join the Eisenhower band, Warren’s band did gain one Youngsville member.

On the Quints in the drumline Lincoln Olsen says he is “Pretty excited” for this year’s season continuing on to say “This year is going slower. Our progress is slower but I think we’ll have a show together (for Saturday)”.

Knights Marching Band rehearsing drills.

Wanting the best of both worlds, Warren Area High School marching band member Ayden Corbett brings an interesting anomaly to this year’s season not only by marching with the band but as a Warren Dragon football player. Rehearsing with the band from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then practicing with the football team from 3:30 to 6 p.m. has made for an exhausting couple of weeks for Corbett. You’re sure to spot him on the field during halftime in his football uniform.

Saturday’s exhibition is free and open to the public.

Times Observer photos by Ann-Marie Gariepy The 2025-26 Knights Marching Band student leaders include, top row, from left: Drum Major Emily Hagadorn, Section Leader Ella Wiltsie, Field Captain Carly Russell. At bottom, Uniform Manager Lilly Berdine, Equipment Manager Adrian Godden, Equipment Manager Mason WIlliams, Points Manager Eva Slye.