Pattonville Marching Band Bringing 'Hope' To The Field This Fall

Marching band fans can look forward to music composed by a staff member of the Blue Devils marching and drum corps this football season. Dennis McFarland, band director for Pattonville High School, said the Pattonville High School Marching Band will play a show calledHope.

McFarland said the show will begin with and come together in the end. John Meehan, who’s on staff with the Blue Devils, composed this year’s music. McFarland said the show’s goal is to honor people in the community—an idea that band members have embraced.

“I think it’s going to be pretty powerful,” McFarland said.

The band’s musicians have a double feat to accomplish: learning the music and the marching formations. McFarland say the two go hand-in-hand with creating a good show. 

One group of marching musicians has more younger members than usual: the drum line. McFarland estimated more than half of this year’s drum line are freshmen and sophomores.

But musicians are only part of the marching band show—the color guard is also part of the design. McFarland said this year’s color guard is already working on flags, costumes and choreography.

“That is such a crucial part of having an effective marching band,” he said of the color guard.

One big question is: Where will the marching band practice? The Pattonville High School’s new stadium is under construction, and the football team will have no home games. McFarland said the school has a practice field to which they’ll have access. He said the field won’t be full-sized, but should let the band do its work.

The first day of Pattonville High School’s band camp is Monday.