As other students are just getting into the rhythm of tests, classwork, and homework, marching band and color guard have been performing and perfecting their rhythms since May 30th, less than a month before the school year ended. 
Saturday, Sep. 21 will be the first hosted competition and also the 21st annual Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School Marching Band Festival. 
“The show this year is very different musically compared to anything we have done before. The music especially isolates certain sections with at a very advanced level,” said Drum Major Emma O’Brien.
This year, the title of the show is “Bocetos de España, Sketches of Spain”, including the songs “One More Time”, “Perfida”, and “Conquistador – Spanish Fantasy”, separated into parts respectively, and all arranged by Rich Guillen.
Since SPF is hosting, the marching band did not compete, but still performed towards the end to end the competition on a high note. The band was led by drum majors Joey Elkin, Emma O’Brien, and Emelyne Johns, and directed by Durand Thomas. The Pit and Drumline Captain were Emily Jones and Maia Zaborowski respectively, and the Percussion Supervisor was John Gillick. Tony Smith was the Drill Writer.
“I feel like a lot of the seniors and the veterans see it as just a prime year to be great and a prime year to show off what they’ve got one last time.” said colorguard captain Summer Carver.
“The Home Show” as it is affectionately called by members of the band and colorguard alike, is a highlight of the season. Not only is it a time to showcase the band’s hard work to the town, but it is a way to draw in prospective members. 
“The home show is an amazing opportunity for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood community as a whole to see what the band is all about. For me, the most valuable part of the home show is the presence of families with younger children.” Pit captain Maia Zaborowski said.
SPF’s Colorguard performed beautifully, led by captains Morgan Whitney, Summer Carver, and Skylar Stagaard. It was directed by Jaclyn Tumolo and assisted by Jacqueline Close.
Throughout the event, multiple schools performed in competition, such as West Orange High School with their show ”Which Witch?”. The show followed a narrative detailing the events of what happens when a witch gets her powers. Another wonderful performance was by Montgomery High School, with their show “Field of Dreams”. The show incorporated songs like “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” and pillows as props for the colorguard.
All in all, this year’s competition was a resounding success, with a number of amazing performances and an impressive amount of funds raised for SPF’s Music Department.