by Grace LoDolce
This is the second year that the Joliet Central Marching Band has been doing field shows for home football games
in addition to marching in parades. This year’s show is West Side Story. The entire show is composed of four different pieces: West Side Story Opener, Maria/ Cool, Jet Song, and West Side Story Finale. The theme fits perfectly because Central’s fall musical in 2010 was West Side Story. The band loves playing these fun and energetic pieces and they know the words to the songs as well.
Before each football game, the band plays the “Nation Anthem” followed by their pregame drill to “March of the Steelmen” and Joliet Central’s Loyalty. This goes into a tunnel that the Central’s Varsity football team runs through. On the first home football game, August 27, the band performed all four songs in a block formation at halftime and did a fantastic job.
The second home football game for the Steelmen was on September 3 and the marching band performed the West Side Story Opener, with the drill that band director Mr. Fiske created himself. They looked outstanding! Due to the weather and the time shortage in halftime, they could not play one of their favorite stand tunes. Along with “Officer Krupke,” one of the band’s favorite stand tunes is “The Horse” by Jesse James, arranged by Bill Moffit. To keep the energy of the band up, during that song, the three drum majors Grace LoDolce, Cynthia Stacy, and Paloma Singletary did choreography. The Joliet Central Marching Band has great energy both in the stands and on the field. They enjoy playing for the crowd that comes to support the football team, cheerleaders, poms squad, and themselves.
This year, the band will be celebrating its 100year at Joliet Central. 100 years of excellence and even more years to come! Come see and support the Joliet Central Marching Band at all of the home football games at our new stadium!