Gallery • 12 Photos

Em Schmidt

The Norwin Band bonds in different ways, with different traditions in every section

The Norwin Band worked hard this marching season, and with practices every school morning and multiple days of the week after school, the Norwin Marching Band prepares to play louder and better than ever this year.

The hard work throughout this season led them to the Bands of America [BOA] Mid-Atlantic Regional in Delaware on October 19, where Norwin placed second overall. Placing right behind fellow western Pennsylvania school Kiski Area High School, Norwin obtained second place overall and Outstanding Visual Performance for their performances at the University of Delaware Stadium. This Bands of America competition was not their first and will not be their last competition this season, as the band travels to the BOA Grand Nationals on November 14-16 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Norwin Marching Band’s show this season is called “Running Rampant” and is a show that creates a Mad Max-esque world that is post-apocalyptic and chaotic. The students performing get their hair and makeup done to look “rampant” for the show, enhancing the band’s visual performance, along with their unique uniforms. 

“The hair and makeup add an interesting element to the show,” senior clarinet player Gabriella Zimmerman said. “It brings an element of connectivity between the guard and band and it makes it feel like we are actually a part of the ‘story’ and not just playing the music.”

“Running Rampant” is a show curated around the use of ramps, which allows for an interesting and unique watching experience that engages the audience through its visual appeal. The show is more in-depth than it has ever been, with extended details in props, makeup, costume design, and overall performance quality.

As the directors, Mr. Timothy Daniels and Mr. Brandon Kandrack, continue to add complexity and refine previous details, the show comes together with the hard work of all those involved.

The Norwin High School Marching Band’s show last year, “Pastime: For the Love of the Game,” was about baseball and the journey to the major leagues. Although this show was very different than “Running Rampant,” it showcased the skills of the Norwin Band all the same. The show in the 2021-2022 school year, “Harvest,” won the band a Grand Nationals AA title, which is what the band is hoping to win again this year as this is their first year back since then.

Below is a video of the Norwin High School Marching Band’s 2024 show, “Running Rampant,” performed at a Norwin football game.

Bands of America (BOA) hosts many marching band competitions, with the Grand Nationals and multiple regional championships with the purpose of music education and competition. BOA hosted the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Delaware where Norwin performed, allowing the band to practice in front of judges and see what they need to improve before Grand Nationals.

As the band departs today for Grand Nationals in Indianapolis, students are gaining energy and excitement to perform on the big stage. They held a community send-off performance on Wednesday, November 13 to get excited for their performance and say farewell to the school and community. The performance created a large crowd of family and peers wishing the band good luck on their performance.

At Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Norwin High School Marching Band placed third in the Class AA section. At this Bands of America Grand National competition on November 14-16, the Norwin Band performed very well and beat out many other teams to get to third place. Below is a video of their performance.