The Newton Railer Marching Band is on its way to another amazing season. They march across the football field and make formations while playing their instruments. The band director, Greg Bergman, assembled a lineup of classic rock songs for this year’s halftime performance. They play their “Rock Classics” show during halftime at all of the home football games. These games are held at Fischer Field Stadium.
“The 2024 halftime show is called Rock Classics. It includes ‘Paint it Black’ by the Rolling Stones, ‘Shambala by Three Dog Night,’ ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’ by Bob Seeger, and ‘Dream On by Aerosmith,’” Bergman said.
Bergman has a couple of goals for this year’s season. One goal is to memorize all of their music. Memorizing their music makes the band look very professional, and well put together. Another goal the director has for the band is to learn a new formation after every successful performance.These goals are a way to keep the band moving forward and improving.
“I’m very pleased with the sounds produced by this year’s group. Tone, balance, and intonation are real strengths. Now we hope to make our marching and formations as good as the music,” Bergman said.
In past years the band has made many accomplishments. The band has grown, and the balance of instruments has improved.
“In the past two years the marching band has grown slightly in number and the balance of instruments has improved,” said Bergman.
The band also goes to many performances and competitions. On Wednesday, Oct. 23, the band will be performing their halftime show at the Southern Plains Marching Festival, at Andover District Stadium. The band will also perform at a Bethel College football game on Oct. 26. The band also got to play at Riverfront Stadium at a football game last year.
“In recent years the weather has not been kind to the Southern Plains Marching Festival, but performing at Riverfront Stadium was a highlight last year,” Bergman said.
There are many reasons why students enjoy playing in the band. Junior trumpet player, Jaeann James, said that playing in the band is very fun because of the family feeling. Since the students in the band are around each other a lot, they get to know each other.
“My favorite thing about being in the band is the fun family feel,” James said.
Another junior in the band, Marina Voigt, says that she enjoys being in the band because she enjoys playing the saxophone. She also says that she enjoys being in the band because she likes the feeling of being part of a group.
“My favorite thing about being in a band is getting to play the saxophone or feeling like part of a group,” Voigt said.
The students in the band are also looking forward to many things this season. Junior Jaeann James says that she is excited to play “Dream On” as the closer of the performance. Junior saxophone player, Marina Voigt, says that she is excited to perfect the halftime show. She is also excited to finish learning all of the formations for the halftime show.
“I’m excited to play ‘Dream On’ as our closer because it is going to sound fire,” James said.