The 2015-2016 marching band show is going to be wild–literally. This year’s show, One Tribe, is based around an African theme. The band plays a piece called Tribal Effect, which is meant to show what people can do when they come together as one.

“We haven’t done a show with an African theme since 2004, so it’s been about 11 years since we’ve done something with this overall feel,” said Band Director Kevin Lloyd.

The show was chosen largely because of Lloyd’s personal experience: when he was in college, he studied African music, and even traveled to West Africa in 1983.

“We have an African ensemble here at Linganore High School, so it’s something that’s already embedded into our percussion program, and this has given me a way to expand it out into the marching band,” Lloyd said.

All three movements of the show  portray the message of the piece. The show starts with the first movement, which is fast-paced with a few color guard highlights. At the beginning of the first section, the band circles around the guard, creating an illusion of a sacrificial ritual to start the show.

The second movement, although slower, has more musical and drill movement. This section has plenty of brass highlights and something unusual for a marching band near the end — everyone sings!

The third movement is climactic, making for a stunning end to the show, with multiple crescendos and changes in dynamics, creating suspense. For the grand finale, the band finishes the piece by drumming along to a beat–not just the percussionists alone.

“Being in band and making music makes me happy and lifts my spirits, even if I’ve had the worst day ever,” freshman flute player Avalon Gravley said.

The color guard compliments the program. The students dress as animals, including giraffes, lions, gazelles, zebras, leopards and cheetahs. After putting on makeup and doing their hair in different styles based on their animals, they take the stage with the band. Supporting the band by dancing, twirling and spinning their mix of flags, rifles, and sabers, they are vital to the effect of the performance.

“People don’t just come for the football,” said Mr. Michael Rich, who helps supervise the band class during the day. “They come for the sight and the sound.”

You can follow the band on Twitter, @LancerBandLHS, and visit their website, LinganoreBand.org