By Isla Concepcion – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Marching Band is back and better than ever. 

The Band returns for the 2023-2024 school year with a variety of new songs for their halftime performances. They have performed at halftime of every home football game this year and are planning to add to their routine. 

“The last tune we are doing is called ‘As It Was,'” Band Director Mr. Pelaggi said. “It is a Harry Styles tune that we are hopefully going to be adding in the next football game. We only did two in the last one, and the next one we are hoping to finish out our show and finish out our third.”

This will be the first time the Band will be performing “As It Was.” 

With many new freshmen and the highly anticipated halftime music, band members said they have a lot to look forward to.

Freshman Ethan Pannella is excited to perform with the Band. 

“I’m looking forward to growing as a musician and meeting new people, and just overall learning new things,” Pannella said. “It’s amazing to perform at halftime, just the feeling of being on the field, everyone looking the same in the uniforms, it gives a real sense of community.”

One future highlight for the Band is a trip to New Orleans that will take place in March.

“Our trip in March, for sure in New Orleans that’s the big event this year,” Pelaggi said. “We’re doing a ton of fundraising for it. We are doing a ton of prep for it.” 

In New Orleans, they will be playing a jazz song called “Hurricane Season” by Trombone Shorty. 

This winter, the Band will have a Winter Concert that junior Assistant Drum Major Eli Gill is excited for. 

“The Jazz Band also had been expanding so much and I know the Winter Concert for us is going to be great,” Gill said. 

With the Band expanding comes more relationships and members relying and helping each other. 

“I also get to perfect my craft as a percussionist and have the support of the whole Band if I ever need it,” senior Jasper Chu said. 

New member Jaden Life Mondejar said the Band makes him feel welcome. 

“I would say it’s pretty good,” Mondejar said. “I get to talk with nice people and I get to just have fun.” 

Freshman Josef Kremer said the Band is working hard to get better every day and he is excited for what is to come.

“I am looking forward to doing more complex pieces and working on areas that need improving,” Kremer. said. “Also, the New Orleans trip.”