Marching Band Preview: Owen J. Roberts

Although it seems far off now, area high school athletes are already preparing for autumn. 

Under the direction of Todd Mengel, the red and white are learning a new routine for the upcoming season.

"We've started working on it in the last couple of weeks here," Mengel said.  "I like to give it (the music) to the kids before summer so they have it and can work on it."

Mengel believes he has a winner in this year's routine. 

"The new show is called 'Disney's Fantasmic,'" Mengel said. The soundtrack -- to a spectacle currently shown at Disney World -- Mengel will be a hit, he said. 

"We're really excited to be doing a Disney show, which of course will be very crowd pleasing," Mengal said. "But also very effective for us when we go to our competitions and cavalcades. It's very challenging, it's very competition worthy, but yet it's very crowd pleasing and music that will be familiar to everyone."

Roughy 120 OJR high schoolers will bring the piece to life.

"We have some really good musicians right now," Mengel said. "Some of the kids are taking private lessons and study and are real serious about it. We're lucky to have them."

That dedication has not gone unnoticed. Last year, Owen J. Roberts sent six students to district band. Three of them continued on to regional and two performed at the All State level. The musicians will return this season.

So will other important members of the OJR marching band family.

"My staff of instructors is coming back," Mengel said. "They're all coming back, which is a good thing for us and for the program because it helps promote continuity in the instruction. I'm excited about that."

The students might get to see the music performed Disney style.

"We are going to Disney World for our spring trip . . . so that kind of goes hand in hand with the show we are doing," Mengel said.

The Wildcat's director encourages everyone to see the band perform this fall. 

"It will be the type of show that everyone can enjoy, whether young or old. All ages will be able to enjoy this show," Mengel said. "I'm excited . . . and I know the kids are, too. We're looking forward to it."