Marblehead High School’s small but mighty marching band just wrapped up a big season, performing at several home games, Fenway Park and the Christmas Walk. The band includes only seven regular musicians this year.
“It was really good,” MHS teacher and band director Rachel Mitchom said about the season. “It’s definitely challenging when you have such a small group. The kids really stepped up. They’ve been working incredibly hard and willing to put in the extra hours. They come early and stay late. It’s physically exhausting to walk around with the instruments.”
Freshman Gordon Andrews plays the drums in the marching band. He hopes more people will join next year.
“You can make new friends and be recognized at the events,” he said. “I’ve been having a good time going to the football games and parade. I was not expecting to be on the field at Fenway. It was very cool.”
A typical marching band for MHS’ size would be more like 20 musicians, according to Mitchom. She said one reason for the small number is lots of turnover in music educators in the lower schools.
‘Marblehead Forever’
In addition to Andrews on drums, the MHS marching band features trumpets, saxophone and trombone. There’s also one member of the color guard.
Asked his favorite song to perform, Andrews answered, “‘Marblehead Forever.”
“I have it memorized,” he said. “I like the speed of it.”
Other popular songs this season included an arrangement of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go,” Mitchom said.
“The kids really liked that one,” she said. “They also like [Village People’s] ‘YMCA’ and ‘Seven Nation Army’ [by The White Stripes].”
