RallyNorth.net

Last updated October 9, 2007

Last updated October 3, 2007

Last updated October 3, 2007

Last updated October 3, 2007

If this year's half-time show goes well, Andover High School's eagle mascot might be replaced with "Fudgie the whale."

The whale is one of the new formations the Andover High School marching band is trying at this year's half time show.

This year's marching band show is like none other in recent history.

When the show begins, most of the 193 band members are silent, and only the soft sound of flutes and clarinets are heard.

Don't let the title fool you though - "The Ballad Sacra" picks up in intensity and the finale moves toward something fast and dynamic, according to band director Marty Claussen. "Most bands go right in your face than slow things down, and we usually do that too" he said. "We changed things up this year, because we have these brand new uniforms on and want to show them off, we just wanted to highlight things are different this year."

The Pinkerton Academy Marching Band has kicked off another season full of music, drills, and field maneuvers and are hard at work to keep the pace going through the fall season.

The band | with its approximately 150 members | is under the direction of director Michael Adams and performs at all the school's football games through the season. The band is also a regular fixture in area holiday parades and other special events.

After an Owls victory, the Timberlane Regional High School marching band has a five-year tradition with the Owls | they play the fight song and the players sing along.

It's one of the many elements of comradery between the band and the players that opponents notice at the games.

The 55-member Manchester Essex pep band has a particularly big role at home football games this year. Without a cheerleading squad, which Assistant Principal Paul Murphy says comes and goes with the interest of the students in the school of 400, the band has the task of keeping the crowd--and the players--pumped for the games.