43
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.The Austintown marching band played the national anthem during the Aujg. 27 Band Night.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Bleachers were filled for the 47th annual Austintown Band Night on Aug. 27.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.The Girard marching band played at the Austintown Fitch stadium on Aug. 27 for the 47th annual Band Night.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Members of the Springfield marching band played during the 47th Austintown Band Night on Aug. 27.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.The Fitch marching band drum line was featured during the 47th Band Night on Aug. 27.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Members of the Springfield marching band played during the 47th Austintown Band Night on Aug. 27.
Photo
Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Senior Drum Major Nick Matussi directed the Austintown Fitch marching band on Aug. 27 for the 47th Band Night.
By JESSICA HARKER
The Austintown Fitch High School marching band hosted its 47th annual band night on Aug. 27.
“Band night really showcases the hard work the band kids have done over the summer,” said Wes O’Connor, the director of the Austintown band.
Five bands joined Austintown at Fitch’s football stadium to play in the event, Lisbon, McDonald, Girard, Springfield and Canfield. Each band played a show they have been working on during the summer, which were around 15 minutes long.
“Let’s face it, the band is limited in the nine minute half time show for football games,” O’Connor said. “Band night is a way to take more time to show off students’ talent.”
O’Connor said that every year the event is coordinated by the parents of the Senior Drum Major. This year, that musician is Nick Mattusi.
“The best thing about band night is that, when people play at an athletic event half of that stadium leaves disappointed and half leaves happy. After band night everyone leaves excited,” O’Connor said.
Lisbon was the first to play. The director of the Lisbon band, Scott Miller, is an alumni of Austintown Fitch. He graduated in 2011 and was a former drum major.
The director of the Girard marching band, Steven Nawrocki, also has a connection to Austintown. Nawrocki did his student teaching at Austintown under O’Connor before starting as the director of the Girard marching band.
“We have a great relationship with all of the local directors, we all support each other,” O’Connor said.
During the show, Brad Gessner a member of the Austintown Band Parents Association said the organization was selling concessions. Along with food, the band parents also sold Christmas ornaments, programs, T-shirts and hats to support the band. There was also a 50/50 raffle, which benefitted the band.
“Everything we do all day is to support the band,” Gessner said.
The Austintown band played their first show, a tribute to World War I.
On Nov. 11, the Fitch marching band will host its annual Veterans Concert and Chilli Cook-Off. According to Gessner the band is currently looking for people to participate in the cook off.
“This year is the 100th anniversary of World War 1, so we are doing a special concert in honor of those veterans,” Gessner said.