Canfield marching band preps for fall season
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Flag Line Instructor Dianna Liggitt (right) helped a member of the flag line during Canfield cardinal pride marching band summer band camp on Aug. 13.
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Members of the Canfield Cardinal Pride Marching Band worked hard to sync steps, turns and movements during summer band camp to prepare for the shows in their fall season.
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Alyssa Titi (left), a senior member of the Canfield cardinal pride marching band and keyboard player, and Alec Kan (right), a freshman xylophone player, practiced their instruments during the band’s summer band camp on Aug. 13.
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Assistant Band Director Jim Volenik (left) instructed members of the Canfield cardinal pride marching band from high atop a tower during summer band camp on Aug. 13.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield Cardinal Pride Marching Band was hard at work during summer band preparing for its fall season. The band started practicing four weeks in advance of the first football game, racking up 20 practice sessions.
The 170-member band, under the direction of Mike Kelly, will participate in three band nights, 10 football games, a performance at the Canfield Fair and two parades throughout the year.
“The Canfield Cardinal Pride Marching Band will be able to travel to the away football games this year thanks to the Band Boosters and the Board of Education working together. It is through that collaborative effort that we are able to travel this year,” Kelly said.
The band will host its 38th annual Canfield Band Night at 7 p.m. at the high school on Aug. 28. The show will feature area school marching bands, including Austintown Fitch, Boardman, Poland, Struthers, West Branch and Champion.
“Right now, we are preparing for our band night with our theme being Latin Palooza. We then extract music from that show for our fall shows,” Kelly said.
Additional band personnel includes Assistant Band Director Jim Volenik, Drum Instructor Dave Drevna and Flag Line Instructor Dianna Liggitt.
Also helping fellow band members is the Leadership Core, which is made up of selected and elected students. The group consists of 48 members and includes at least one member from each grade level.
“Our Leadership Core is the center of our band. They help their fellow band members from the center out. They reinforce training and perfect it. They hold the members to our standards and they lead by example,” Kelly said.
Kelly, in his eighth year teaching in Canfield, is appreciative of the community’s support of the band.
“I would like to thank the Board of Education, the band parents and the community for their support. We couldn’t do all we are able to do without the continued support of everyone. We are very appreciative,” Kelly said.