Weekdays from Aug. 3 through 20, the nearly 75 members of the Warwick High School (WHS) marching band focused not on the heat, but on the northern lights as they practiced the show wind captain Kerri Hahn said is called "Aurora Borealis." The program features original music written by Gary P. Gilroy, former Lancaster resident and now band director at California State University, Fresno. The drill was written by marching band instructor Scott Goebel.

WHS band director Matthew Tenaglia explained that the show is in three movements, with the first representing preparation for a trip to see the northern lights. The second movement, which is a ballad, is about the expedition. "It's more reflective, somber, pensive," noted Tenaglia. The final song will be a festival of light. "We have props with lights built in ... (along with) reflective fabric and mirrors," said Tenaglia. "It will be pretty cool." Musical highlights will include a quintet and a mellophone duet with low brass solos in a supportive role. The 10 color guard members will use swing flags, 6-foot flags, and rifles during the drill.

The students were excited to talk about a visit they had from Gilroy during band camp. "Gary P. Gilroy is amazing," said drum major Christian Kegel. Kegel reported that Gilroy spent about two hours working on the introduction with the musicians to fine tune the details of the opener.

Hahn added that it was Gilroy's first time to hear a band play that particular composition live. "It was so interesting to hear his perspective," she commented.

Kegel said that this year's drill is challenging with complicated shapes and sets that are more difficult to line up. "There's much more impact than in less-challenging drills," he explained.

Wind captain Lauren Waltz emphasized the struggles for the musicians. "This is the hardest movement 1 drill I have ever done," admitted the five-year WHS band veteran. "The low brass is practically sprinting (because some of the) sets are far apart," she said.

Kegel said that spirit days add a lot of fun to the hard work that is part of each band camp. "We have all the section leaders pitch ideas for (themed) days, and then the whole band votes on them," he explained, noting that favorites include tie dye day, twin day, and section spirit day. "We keep track of participation," he said, adding that an old marching shoe, which has been painted gold, is passed around to winning sections like a trophy cup.

Hahn noted there is a strategy behind the silliness. "We do it to unify people and get them to know their sections better," she said.

The group will be on the competition circuit with Cavalcade of Bands again this year after taking a hiatus last year, when band directors arranged a few small local exhibitions so students could see each other perform. This year's schedule will take the band to Hempfield, Conestoga Valley, Conrad Weiser, Wilson, Manheim Central, and Conestoga in Berwyn, along with hosting a show. Cavalcade will hold a competition in Hershey on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 13 and 14.

Reflecting on 2021 versus 2020, Kegel noted, "It's looking to be a more promising year."