McGuffey Band Director John Michael Herold is excited for the Highlanders’ new season.
The band’s 2026 halftime show, Queen, features the group’s hits “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “We Will Rock You,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
Herold explains, “When we craft our halftime show it is always difficult to make a show that is, exciting at a football game, beautiful art, and a good teaching tool to improve the musicians and dancers. I think Queen does all those things in spades. In addition, it is very engaging and exciting for the band. The kids love playing and dancing to this music, whether at an event or just in practice. While Queen was popular before our current students were born, the appeal is undeniable.”
To design the band’s field-show, the staff must first pick the music. They then design the drill or shapes the band will form on the field. These shapes must reflect what is happening in the music. If the music is soft and flowing, so are the shapes. If the music is fast, the drill is very angular with quick direction changes.
During this process, color guard instructor, Christina Geho, selects the dancing equipment such as the types of flags and their design scheme. Choreographer Maddie Fries then syncs the dance routines. Finally, the band boosters help create the props and costuming to support the theme of the show.
According to Herald, “The excitement this process creates makes leading the band a joy. The current student leadership of Drum Majors Ella Coffey, Josie Adams and color guard Captains Alex Wise, and Sydney Carroll have appreciated their experience leading the band. During the rigors of band camp these students were the example to their peers in the effort they made. They now look forward to developing and performing the half time show in the months ahead.”
The band’s schedule includes all the McGuffey football games. In addition, they will perform in band shows at East Allegheny (Sept. 19), McGuffey (Oct. 17), Penn Trafford (Oct. 24), and at the Tournament of Bands State Championship (Oct. 31). McGuffey was the Pennsylvania State Runner Up in Class Two at last year’s Tournament of Bands.
2026 McGuffy Marching Band
After the football season ends, the band will be playing for the Claysville and West Alexander Christmas parades in early December.
McGuffey Band Booster officers Jamie Pond, Bethany Bailey, Kelly Zeigler, and Kristy Whitlatch are very excited to be hosting the marching band show on Saturday, October 17th. The show begins at 5:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students (cash only). Currently there are ten bands enrolled for the show: Elizabeth Forward, Steel Valley, Serra Catholic, East Allegheny, Jeannette, Penn Trafford, Woodland Hills, Trinity, North Catholic, and McGuffey.
