Southcentral schools perform during Colony High School's Marching Band Invitational

PALMER — Colony High School was joined by four schools from across Southcentral Alaska during the 2023 Marching Band Invitational.

Marching bands from Palmer High School, Wasilla High School, East High School, and Kenai Central High School performed on the Colony football field Saturday, September 23.

This was the first time the East and Kenai marching bands participated in this annual event designed to bring students together through a common love for music.

"I was pretty darn excited," CHS marching band director Jamin Burton said.

According to Burton, this was the first time schools beyond the Valley have participated in the Invitational in nearly two decades. He said the East and Kenai marching bands are expected to return next year, noting that they may be able to start adding other group events at other schools in the future. He said that any and all marching bands are invited to participate in the Invitational.

"It was great to have Kenai and East there. I loved their shows and I love what they're doing," Burton said. "I hope it's a harbinger of more things to come."

Kenai marching band student Ezra Jusmable said that it was fun having the chance to perform at Colony's Invitational for the first time.

"I find it really cool," Jusmable said.

Colony marching band student Kaitlin Woyce said that she was excited to see all the different schools come together in one place.

"We can have a community now and it's growing. Seeing how it all grow is the most interesting part of it all," Woyce said.

Burton said that one of the main goals for the annual Invitational is giving students the chance to perform in front of an audience and show off all their hard work. He said it's a great way to boost their confidence levels and gives them a chance to root for other bands and leave the event inspired by everyone's different styles of performances.

"I think it's really important for students to showcase what they're working on," Burton said.

Looking forward, Burton said they're hoping to have all the schools gather on the field and put on an encore performance together.

"I think it would be great," Burton said.

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