- Andrew Peters works on drum line skills during band camp on Friday, August 7.

Friday nights are for football, cozy sweatshirts, bright lights, hot chocolate, and cheering on your home team. And they would not be the same without the sounds of a marching band. This year the STC Marching Band is back, Back in Black and Blue that is.

The Trojan Marching Band is set to take the field on Friday, August 28 for their first show of the season. This years’ show will be titled (drum roll please) Back in Black and Blue.

According to high school band director, Mike Carnahan, the concept of the show actually has a few things going on. “Saying the band is “back” is not necessarily saying we declined over the years, but more so to get back to the “esprit de corps” and pride we once had 8-10 years ago or so,” said Carnahan

A lot of hard work goes into putting together a marching band show. From learning the music to tackling the formations, it takes time and lots of effort to make a successful halftime show.

That work began at marching band camp on August 3 – 7. Members of the band gathered for daylong sessions of learning the music and formations of the show.

he trombone section including Zach Backen, Shaye Betz, Harley Matta, Kyra Spinler, and Anna Dvorak play through a section of music during band camp. Chronicle Photos/Allison Graham

This year the band will be lead by senior drum major Belle Tyynsimaa and junior drum major Allison Yuska. The color guard will be coached by Darci Lamb.

“This year we are trying to push the band to higher expectations and get to the point of intensity that we’ve had in years past,” said Tyynismaa.

The show consists of four rock songs including AC/DC’s “Back in Black”, “Paint it Black” by the Rolling Stones, “Behind Blue Eyes” by The Who, and Styx’s “Blue Collar Man”.

It’s a well thought out show as each song represents STC’s school colors, Black and Columbia Blue. The closing song, “Blue Collar Man”, also holds special value.

“Our closer, “Blue Collar Man” ended up playing another important role in that it signifies working hard, a quality we try to instill in our members every day in and out of the band room,” said Carnahan.

Shae Slaven twirls a flag while the color guard practices at band camp on Friday, August 7.

“We spent some time listening to the originals and then listening to the marching band versions that we are using and everybody was jamming so I think they really dig it!” said Tyynismaa.

If you want to see more of the band they will be playing several competitions throughout the fall. Competition dates are as follows: September 19 in Western Dubuque, September 26 in Pella, October 10 is State Marching Band at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids, and October 17 in Waukee.

“If you have never been to a marching band competition before, I highly recommend checking one out and cheering on our group!” said Carnahan.

The 36th Annual Music Boosters BBQ is set for the first home football game on Aug 28th. It will be bittersweet as it will be the first barbecue in over 30 years without the help of “Red” Ervin who passed away recently. The music boosters will be honoring “Red” by introducing a different smoker, painted red, in memory of his years of cooking for the barbecue.

For more information about the band, competitions, the Music BBQ, or the Music Boosters, you can contact Mike Carnahan.