TOWAMENCIN – On September 20th, over 1,200 students filed into North Penn’s gymnasium for forty-five minutes of pep rally entertainment. Once the lights dimmed and the crowd settled, students and staff were treated to the spinning flags and harmonious noise of the Marching Knights.
The synchronized performance was a collaborative effort of 107 band members. They first gathered all the way back in June to start preparations for the pep rally and Homecoming performances.
“We have to prioritize learning certain things at certain times of the year. Generally, the stuff we play at homecoming, and pep rallies, and football games is usually a little easier, and we start learning that first to develop our skills so that later in the summer we can learn for our competitive show, which is a lot harder.” Marching Knights Director Joe Santanello shared.
Those who attended either the pep rally or the Homecoming performance may have noticed the familiar beat of the song Seven Nation Army. This is just one classic song the Marching Knights have covered in their 52 years of performing. But many wonder how these songs are chosen.
“We try to pick songs that are recognizable, and that people might like. We’re playing a Bruno Mars song this year… Last year, we played Montero and Shut Up And Dance… We try to pick things the student section might be interested in… But also I’m trying to pick things that are challenging for the students but not too challenging,” Santanello explained.
The Marching Knights don’t just perform chart toppers at football games and pep rallies. Hours of memorizing notes, marching on the field, and playing instruments are poured into preparing for competitions of all sizes.
“What you see at football games and the pep rally is really a small part of what we do. That’s designed for entertainment; make people feel good, play songs people know, and get everyone psyched about the game. But a lot of the time spent practicing is for our competition shows…” Santanello said.
So, what is the band marching toward next? North Penn’s Knight of Sound, the Marching Knight’s next big event, will be held on October 5th, from 4 pm to 10 pm in Crawford Stadium. Tickets are $10 for students and $12 for adults.
“We’re definitely excited about the Knight Of Sound. That’s the competition we host here at North Penn… It’s gonna be great because we have 17 bands competing. Plus, we have a college band — Widener University — that’s gonna be an exhibition at the end… It’s a really big show… It’s a big fundraiser for us but also it’s a great day to come out and see what marching band is all about.” Santanello said.
Just a few weeks after the highly-anticipated Knight Of Sound, the Marching Knights will be heading to New Jersey for one of their biggest performances of the year.
“We’re also excited about the national championships we go to every year. They are November 2nd and they’re in Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. Anytime we get to perform in a big NFL stadium like that is exciting for the students and for me.” Santanello shared.