TOLEDO, Ohio — Those Friday night lights burning bright and local high school marching bands are also shining with their halftime shows!
We know that the band members work just as hard (if not harder!) than the football players on the field.
That is why WTOL 11 wanted to take some time and recognize bands from all over the area during this year's Big Board Friday.
Each week, WTOL 11 featured one marching band, film their halftime show and presented it to you on wtol.com and on our free news app, which you can download here: https://interactive.wtol.com/appredirect/
WEEK 10
Our final band of the week is the Genoa Comets Marching Band! The Comets Marching Band has over 80 members and they begin practicing in late July. They let the seniors plan out the halftime shows that they perform and it's a different show each week!
Check out their full halftime show below!
The Genoa band and choir are both scheduled to perform at Disney this upcoming March.
WEEK 9
Week nine's Band of the Week is the Oak Harbor High School Marching Band! The Oak Harbor Rocket Band has been one of our most popular requests on social media for our Band of the Week, and it's pretty clear why!
Enjoy their FULL halftime show below!
"The Pride of Oak Harbor" starts in 6th grade, with musicians eventually joining the high school marching band, with options for other specialized opportunities throughout the year.
The marching band has over 80 members this year under the direction of Travis Magoto, who was a member of "TBDBITL" while at Ohio State.
Pep band, an elite jazz band, providing the soundtrack for the school musical and multiple competitions are just some of the mainstays for young Oak Harbor musicians!
In total, 300 students are members of Oak Harbor's Band Department.
WEEK 8
Week eight's Band of the Week is the Bedford Marching Band! The halftime show didn't make the field thanks to Mother Nature, but that didn't stop the songs.
The band took to the shelter of the gym to carry on their performance. Band director Cory Meggitt chipped in to make sure we had the video when our Band of the Week brought the beat.
Enjoy a special performance by the Bedford High School Marching Band as they prepare for a competition Saturday!
This year, 105 Bedford students participate in the band, which has received a superior rating at MSBOA marching band festival 8 years in a row. The band is an entirely extracurricular activity and filmed a superfan commercial with Culver's over the summer!
Marching at Cedar Point is on the schedule for later this fall, plus the Toledo Blade Holiday Parade in November.
Meggitt adds that hopefully, a trip to Disney will take place over spring break.
WEEK 7
It's time for a recap! Week seven highlights the bands we've visited so far.
WEEK 6
Week six's Band of the Week is the "Pride of Bellevue!"
The Bellevue High School Marching Band has a long history of supporting the Redmen with over 40 events a year! Next year's 100th Anniversary celebration will feature the first-ever alumni night.
The band performs popular tunes from all eras, with a recent show themed around Hits of the 60s. Band director Chris Meadows says the approach and style of the Bellevue Redmen Marching Band set them apart, describing the drill to "Little Deuce Coupe" in particular.
"We made an outline of a 1932 Ford with the wheels turning," said Meadows. "We always try to provide a good visual with our drills to entertain the Friday night crowd."
Enjoy the full half-time show from Sept. 24 and week six's Bands of the Week!
WEEK 5
Week five's Band of the Week is "The Big Band from Panther Land!"
The Whitmer High School Marching Band spends long hours making sure that they put on a show that everyone in the crowd can enjoy year-round.
The band has a pretty cool tradition by starting the season in the halls before hitting the gridiron for the first game of the year.
Enjoy the full half-time show from Sept. 17 and week five's Band of the Week!
WEEK 4
Week four is a special edition, featuring two bands coming together as one to perform a half-time show for the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
The Northview Wildcat Marching Band and the Napoleon Wildcat Marching Band will perform together Friday during their game.
"Being the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we felt it most appropriate to COMBINE our efforts at halftime and remember those who were lost, thank those who do and have served and celebrate our great nation," explained Northview's band director, Nathan Heath.
A combined 260 piece band took to the field from both schools.
"Our students know that what they do is more than just demonstrating their talent and ability in music. The high school band experience is so much more, it is a family atmosphere, a collaborative endeavor, and a community outreach that allows us to shine a positive light to those who watch us perform," said Heath. "Being that it is the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and despite the (at times) negative climate of our country over the past several years, it is nice to take the time to pay our respects to those we owe, remember those we owe and celebrate who we are as an American people."
Enjoy the full half-time show from Sept. 10 and week four's Bands of the Week!
WEEK 3
Week three takes us to Oregon for the Clay High School Fighting Eagle Marching Band!
110 members march with the Clay Band. The band is a show band and performs a new show for every home game.
Enjoy the full half-time show from Sept. 3 and week three's Band of the Week!
WEEK 2
For week two, we headed to Whitehouse to check out the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals.
Check out their full show below!
PRE-GAME
HALF-TIME
Known for their “high stepping” style of marching, the Anthony Wayne Marching Generals band is also easily recognizable for their unique uniforms modeled after the Revolutionary War General “Mad” Anthony Wayne. The Marching Generals band has 150 members.
The Generals perform at all Anthony Wayne football games, many local parades, and other civic events. Past performances have included The Indianapolis 500 Parade, The Magic Kingdom Share a Dream Come True Parade, The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, The America’s Thanksgiving Parade, The Kentucky Derby Parade, The Chicago Magnificent Mile Parade and the London New Year’s Day Parade.
Here's a look behind the scenes of the Marching Generals!
WEEK 1
The first feature took us to Perrysburg to check out the Perrysburg Marching Yellow Jackets.
The band members have been hard at work since the beginning of August, undergoing pre-camp rehearsals that started back on Aug. 2 and then a full-fledged band camp, complete with a parent show at its conclusion. These student musicians, flag corps members and twirlers put in hours and hours of hard work to come together as one cohesive unit on the field and in the stands.
And now... welcome to the field your Perrysburg Marching Yellow Jackets!
