43
Fitch band hosts 40th annual Band Night
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The Austintown Fitch Band closed their Band Night with a performance honoring those who have defended our freedom in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Photo
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .The girls of the Falcon Color Guard were excited for their Band Night performance on Aug. 29. Karlie Bevan (left), Jayme Raric, Kayla Bailey, Julie Larkin, and Janell Verdream proudly displayed the flags of the United States, Ohio, and Austintown township.
By SARAH FOOR
The Austintown Fitch High School marching band welcomed the fellow musicians from Jackson-Milton, Ursuline, Canfield and Boardman as part of the 40th annual Band Night on Aug. 29.
Although much can change in four decades, event coordinators find that the purpose of the night remains the same.
“It’s a great way for local bands to practice in front of a receptive audience. Of course, it’s a thrill to support our teams during football games, but it’s also great to have a night just to honor the amazing bands in our area,” said Dianne Eyster, the mother of Austintown senior drum major Jeremy Eyster.
Band Night festivities began with a rendition of our national anthem, before performances by Jackson-Milton and Ursuline.
The Canfield Cardinal Marching Band performance focused on their strong warrior spirit, adding their personal twist to “Kung Fu Fighting,” the theme from “Rocky” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
The Boardman Spartan Band showed its breadth of skill with a medley of Beatles tunes, before delving into the funk hit “Boogie Shoes,” the easy listening of Michael Buble’s “Sway,” and the traditional African sounds from “The Lion King.”
With their famous military precision, the stars of Austintown Band Night performed selections honoring those who have defended our freedom in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Fitch band performed the theme of each branch of the armed forces, before closing with “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
During her last Austintown Band Night, Fitch color guard senior Karlie Bevan only had one wish for her upcoming year. “I just want it to be memorable,” she said with a smile.