Field Show Ready to Add Color to Gridiron Clashes

Every Friday night thousands of Montgomery and Chester county fans flock to the beloved gridiron to cheer the home team to victory.

One of the facets that enhances the ambience of a high school game is the contribution of the marching and more specifically the field show of the band and color guard.

The songs they play and the touchdown celebrations, specific to each school, are as indelible in people’s memories as the thrill of watching a flaming baton being hurled into the night sky or the pageantry of colored flags flying in unison.

This year’s Phantoms marching band field show, named “It’s Not All Black and White” is sure to be a memorable one as music and choreography from three different decades will be featured by the 77-piece unit on the brand new turf of Washington Field.

“This year’s show was a collaborative effort,” said marching band director Heather Moll, in her third year as director. “We owe the idea of "White Wedding" to Rocco Richardson. It was his brainstorm and it turned out to be amazing. We are so lucky to have the support of an organization like our boosters club, the Phantom band Boosters. They actually pay for us to have our shows professionally arranged according to the students we want to highlight and our strengths.”

The show opens with the color guard donning in ivory as the drum line and brass kick into Billy Idol’s smash hit “White Wedding,” featuring junior Sydney Marks on melophone throughout the song.

“It’s my first solo like this ever,” said Marks. “It will be amazing the first time performing it when the stands are filled. When we take the field for our shows we always feel the energy of the crow. I am sure I will be a little nervous but I can’t wait. It is so exciting to have a chance like this.”

From the upbeat opening number, the musicians carries the band into “True Colors,” the ballad made famous by Cindi Lauper, as the color guard uses phenomenal work with the flags, where they make in air exchanges with each other. The breathtaking choreography is rivaled only by the smooth sounds produced by the 64-member strong ensemble.

The clock gets turned back in the final number as the band closes out their show with The Rolling Stones’ anthem “Painted Black.” Intricate formations and movement will keep the audience captivated for the nearly eight minute musical journey.

“This show is so much fun,” added Marks. 

The finished product that the Phoenixville marching band will display will surely entertain the hundreds that pack Washington Field ever Friday night, but it's the work behind the scenes that often gets overlooked.

The marching band has been practicing the show for hours on end for the last month under the blazing sun and into the night, sometimes having eight hours of marching, playing, studying positional charts and of course push-ups in one day.

“A lot of times people do not realize the commitment it takes on the part of the students to put on a field show,” said Moll. “They work through injuries and fatigue just like any athlete would. I am very proud of how far we have come and we still have a lot of work to do before the first game of the season.”

Performing before and during football games is only part of what the Phantoms Marching Band has on its fall schedule, as they will be competing at the Owen J. Roberts (10/1) and Governor Mifflin (11/5) cavalcades as well as traveling to the nation’s capital to perform in the Veterans Day parade through Washington, D.C.

Drum majors Alec Thompson and Sydney Marks are lust a few of the students that Moll depends on to set the tone for her group. Section leaders, who are part of the Field Leadership Committee also assist in running drills and practices.

Phoenixville juniors Ryan Marks (large brass) and Zach Vail (alto sax) along with sophomore Anna Thompson (flute) and senior Sarah Barkley (trumpet) will be counted on all year long for their leadership.

“A mark of being an excellent band is the ability to adjust," added Moll. “When things start to get out of sync or a little ragged, it takes an outstanding effort to get it back the right direction. I saw that tonight, which means we are on the right track. Our goal is to always be thinking about what we can do as individuals to make the band as a whole better.”

The Phantoms Marching band will be performing a run through for the parents on Thursday evening and will unveil the finished show during the season opening game.