On October 21, the Linganore High School Lancer Marching Band held their annual home show, hosting a total of 16 other bands. The competition was sponsored by the Maryland Marching Band Association (MMBA).
The Linganore band performed their show “There’s No Place Like Home,” inspired by The Wizard of Oz, referencing the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” composed by Harold Arlen.
While the band performed in exhibition, they had the highest score in the Open Large Category with a score of 86.55. Senior Sophia Parker has been a member of the Lancer Marching Band since her freshman year, and was very proud of this score.
“It was extremely rewarding for me to see that our score reflected our hard work and that other students were able to step off the field smiling and proud,” Parker said.
The marching band also earned the highest percussion rating between the bands, scoring an 18.2. Nicholas Wright is a part of battery percussion and is pleased about the high rating.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that we scored best percussion, and being two weeks away from championships with such a high score, it gives us more time to work on the small details that really give our show its personality,” said Wright.
The show this year has three movements. It uses an assortment of full-body visuals and odd-meter time signatures to depict the feeling of being thrown into a twister, helping spectators and band members alike embark with Dorothy on her adventure.
Parker also comments, “when we flutter run we are imitating a wind swept movement to represent the tornado coming through Kansas and whisking Dorothy into this new place [Oz], similarly to how we are transitioning to the second movement of our show and taking you somewhere thematically and musically.”
Maggie Malone, a junior at Linganore High School (LHS), is another member of the marching band and encourages people to come watch the show.
“It’s really cool to be able to see what your peers accomplish, be it art, academics, music, or sports, so it’s a good idea to come and see our show,” said Malone.
Sophomore Alex Pietanza adds, “it is important that people come watch us [the band] to come support our department and show that they care.”
The opportunity to join in on the thrill of flying monkeys and witches is not yet over; the band has two performances left for this season. If you have not yet seen the band, you have the chance to watch them perform on October 28 at Arundel High School for Regional Championships or on November 4 at Towson University for States. To find out more, visit linganoreband.org or mdmarchingband.org.
