Local marching bands reunite at Colony High School Marching Band Invitational

PALMER — Local high school bands reunited under the love of music and putting all their hard work on full display at Colony High School’s annual Marching Band Invitational Sept. 22.

Colony’s marching band welcomed Palmer High School and Redington Junior-Senior High School to this year’s musical showcase.

Wasilla High School’s marching band was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. According to CHS marching band director Jamin Burton, Kenai’s newly formed marching band was also slated to attend but they were also unable to attend. He said they were sorry to miss those bands but every student that walked on the field Wednesday evening gave it their all, so the overall event was a roaring success.

“It was great. I really wish Wasilla and Kenai had been able to make it,” Burton said.

WHS marching band director Jackie Johnson emceed the event. She said that she lamented the fact they were unable to participate this year but she respected her students’ decision to not put on a half capacity show.

“Things happen, especially in the land of COVID,” Johnson said.

Johnson said it was great to see all the different students in the same place again. She said they hope to attend Redington’s Invitational next week.

“I think they all did a great job,” Johnson said. We’re so isolated normally in our own little bubbles, especially in times like these, so it’s nice to see what everyone else is doing and has to offer.”

Redington marching band director Samantha Youmans said the Invitational is a rare opportunity for the students to come together to play music for music’s sake and cheer each other on. Plus, the Alaskan fall weather didn’t make a turn for the worse, which is always a plus for any outdoor event.

“I’m glad the weather held. I was really worried,” Youmans said. “It doesn’t get to happen very often. The kids love it. This is like their favorite thing.”

Several students from each school held up signs for the other bands during each performance. PHS marching band director Barbara Carroll said the sense of comradery just overflows at events like these. She said the focus is on the music, not competition.

“Football games are fun, but we’re there to support the football team. This is all about supporting marching band, which I think is really cool. Plus, when you’re playing at football games, you don’t get a chance to see the other band,” Carroll said.

Burton said that things are technically up from last year, but they still have a lot to deal with in wake up the pandemic. He said that things are starting to return to normal and events like this Invitational encourages him that one way or another, everyone is going to keep the beat going.

“There are too many things in our society that divide people. It’s nice that there’s something that just brings people together. It’s not political. It’s not controversial. And, you get no bigger cheer than what you get from the band kids when you do something cool on the field,” Burton said.

Redington is hosting their annual Marching Band Invitational Wednesday at 7 p.m. The community is invited to join the event and watch their local marching bands do what they do best.

“We’re excited to have everybody come back next week,” Youmans said.

there’s plenty more to look forward to on the horizon as other events and student activities come back into the fold.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com