Editor’s note: This is a first in a series of stories and photographs featuring high school marching bands in the region. The series will appear each Friday throughout the high school football season.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Four years ago, the marching bands of Conemaugh Valley and Ferndale Area school districts combined along with the football teams for a co-op that formed a massive more-than-80-person musical group that provides entertainment, energy and excitement at every weekend football game.
From a 20-person drumline to expansive wind and brass sections, the band offers a complete and powerful sound with the majorettes and color guard providing a colorful show.
“It’s really cool for our kids to play in a group this size,” the band’s co-director Dustin Rainey said.
Heading into this year’s season, which starts Friday, the students wrapped up a two-week band camp, where they learned the movements and music to this year’s halftime show – titled “Beats of Africa.”
Rainey wrote the script and arranged the songs, which focus on the African drum influence on pop music.
The show starts with a medley of “Cecilia,” “Some Nights” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” followed by “Circle of Life” from the movie “The Lion King.” The show ends with Toto’s “Africa,” which features a three-part harmony of the students singing.
“This show is going to be really awesome,” co-director Allen Bixel said.
Conemaugh Valley Marching Band senior Laden Rager, percussionist, performs the halftime routine with fellow bandmates at Conemaugh Valley High School in East Taylor Township on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Conemaugh Valley senior Laden Rager agreed.
“It’s really cool that he got to put that on the field for the band to play,” Rager said.
Bixel, of Conemaugh Valley, and Rainey, of Ferndale, are assisted by Autumn Bozic and Nathan Beckman for the on-field performance and in the stands.
The co-op band has about eight bleacher tunes prepared for the season – with traditional standards such as “Sweet Caroline,” “The Final Countdown” and “Quest” ready to go.
Lincoln Watson, Ferndale Area eighth-grader, plays the alto saxophone during Conemaugh Valley Marching Band Camp at Conemaugh Valley High School in East Taylor Township on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Paige Cenko, a Ferndale senior, said student-musicians have connected well through the co-op.
“It has never been better,” she said about the band.
Rainey and Bixel said they are a natural fit in leading the group, and had worked together previously.
The pair share a fluid collaboration with the students and their assistants in tweaking the show and songs during run-throughs and practices, they said.
For Bixel, this year is special as it’s his 40th and final season as a music instructor and band director.
Conemaugh Valley Marching Band sophomore Michael Zahurak, from Ferndale Area High School, plays the trumpet during a halftime show rehearsal at Conemaugh Valley High School in East Taylor Township on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
The 1979 Ferndale graduate has decided to hang up his baton after spending the past 23 years at Conemaugh Valley.
With a show that connects in several ways to his personal life, he’s excited for the marching band to take the field and continue to wow fans near and far.
Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.