The Beginning of the 2026 Season

This year’s show concept is “The Other Side”. The show primarily explores the ‘other side’ of self-perception. We start with frustration and self-contempt, primarily driven by what we believe about ourselves and how we believe others perceive us. But through this conflict, we find our way to the other side, seeing a true representation of who and what we are, not driven by inaccurate and incomplete perceptions of others. Through self-exploration, we find that something has changed within us, and that we love ourselves in a way we didn’t before.

It features music by Arcade Fire, Peter Gabriel, Rag’n’Bone Man, Stephen Schwartz, and Kris Bowers.

Rehearsals will begin at the end of April, on a rolling basis, starting with guard and percussion, then winds. During the summer, we rehearse many weekday evenings 6-9 pm. Band camp will be August 17-24, which is mandatory for every band member, since this is when we learn the vast majority of the drill for our show. It will be the band’s 72nd summer attending the world-famous Interlochen Music Camp! At the start of the next school year, we will rehearse every Monday and Wednesday from 6-9 pm.

The band also performs at 4-5 home football games, which take place on Friday evenings (and one Thursday evening). Most Saturdays during the fall are spent rehearsing or competing. Please see the detailed rehearsal schedule for all commitments for the entire season that accompanies this letter! If a family vacation or summer camp is scheduled during June or July, no problem, as long as we know in advance. Starting August 1 (2.5 weeks before Band Camp, and when Saturday Mini-Camps begin), we need everyone at every rehearsal.

The fee to participate in the 2026 Marching Band is $600. This includes Interlochen Band Camp and almost all expenses for the entire season. We recognize that these expenses may be a challenge for some, but please know that we will do all we can to ensure every student who wants to perform can. Thanks to phenomenal support from the district, if those fees present a financial challenge, just ask, and we can reduce them by up to half, to $300 (you will be asked to consider what you can afford between $300-600). Additionally, please be aware that the fees are due in installments over the course of the season, to make them more manageable.