Robin Hood Legend Rides Again in Serra Show

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
September 09, 2024
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Musicians and color guard are all decked out for competition season with a “Robin Hood” theme. (Photo courtesy of Serra Catholic Marching Band)

There’s a lot of excitement and enthusiasm in the air from Serra Catholic Marching Band members about the theme of their 2024 show – “Robin Hood.”

“When the band show was first announced to be ‘Robin Hood,’ I was beyond ecstatic,” said Emilia Capasso, a senior and one of three drum majors.

“I've always loved the story and all the different adaptations of it, so I was excited to see where our show would take it,” she said.

Junior Drum Major Lyndsay Chirdon not only was excited about the theme, but for her role as Maid Marian.

As a piccolo player in her fourth year in marching band, she said, “I am very excited and thankful to portray the role of Maid Marian. My favorite part of the show is anytime we get to have a ‘character moment.’

“Most of the time, the ‘character moments’ are for everyone in the band,” Chirdon said. “It is so much fun to be fully submerged into the theme of the show and get to act in a non-marching band style.”

During their annual evening performance for family and supporters, Serra Catholic High School Marching Band members provided a preview of “Robin Hood.” (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

Band Director Jesse Bush said all the music is original and composed by Randall Standridge.

“There are several solos throughout the show,” Bush said. “The beginning of the show opens with a solo from Mickey O'Brien (Robin Hood), Maid Marian Lyndsay Chirdon, and later on from the Sheriff of Nottingham Xavier Miller. There are also multiple features from our percussion pit.”

Four members of color guard, who also are featured in the show, are Amy Dodds, Catie Erfort-Kidder, Sara Robertson, and Gracie George, Bush said.

Michael (Mickey) O’Brien has plenty of challenges this year. The senior trumpet player is in his fifth year with the group, and not only is one of the drum majors, but portrays Robin Hood.

“My first impression of the show was being surprised,” O’Brien said, “as well as excited to see what would come of it.” He explained this year the theme is more specific than previous seasons.

“My favorite part of playing Robin Hood and the show itself is definitely my solo in the second song, which is a slow ballad that hopefully will show off not just my ability to play loud and fast, but as well play slower and less in-your-face music,” O’Brien said.

“The most challenging part for me is being able to act in character for most of the show,” he said.

If you go ...

Serra Catholic High School Band presents “Robin Hood”
2024 Competition Schedule

• Saturday, Sept. 14 at East Allegheny
• Saturday, Oct. 5 at Jeannette  
• Saturday, Oct. 12 McKeesport Area
• Saturday, Oct. 19 Championships at Penn-Trafford
• Saturday, Oct. 26 TOB States at Altoona --TBA

Xavier Miller as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Lyndsay Chirdon as Maid Marian, and Mickey O'Brien as Robin Hood, are tasked with playing the music and remaining in character. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

Serra’s Sheriff of Nottingham sophomore Xavier Miller said, “When I heard that the band show was going to be ‘Robin Hood,’ I was curious as to how it was going to work musically.
 
“My favorite part of ‘Robin Hood’ is the playful and energetic feeling that the music gives you,” Miller said. “The most challenging part of the show is the sudden tempo changes because of how quickly I have to slow down or speed up.”

Amy Dodds, Catie Erfort-Kidder, Sara Robertson and Gracie George are featured in color guard. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photo for Tube City Almanac)

Senior Cassie Lake is in her second season with the band and plays bells.

“When Mr. Bush announced that the show was ‘Robin Hood,’ I was very excited to see what he would come up with,” she said. “Another reason I was excited is because I’ve always enjoyed the story of Robin Hood and really liked the Disney version of it when I was younger.

“My favorite part of the show is the first song because it’s very energetic, the music is very fun to play, and the visuals and drill that Mr. Bush has added so far look really cool and help to highlight all of the characters.,” she added. “I think the show has been coming along very well this year and can’t wait to see the end result.”

Capasso said her favorite part of the show is probably the whole first song “just because it has such a joyful energy to it and it really sets a good mood for the rest of the show.

“It's also hard knowing that this is my last show,” she said. “I've been doing band for so long, it will be strange to graduate and leave it all behind. Nevertheless, I can't wait for this year's season,” she said after the parent preview show and before the first competition, this past Saturday at Penn-Trafford High School.

“In the past, we have gotten comments from judges about how they can see how much we enjoy performing the show and it really boosts our score,” Chirdon said. “These moments really help to get the audience excited about our show,” which she anticipates will happen with “Robin Hood.”

With the results in from the Tournament of Bands competition, Serra Catholic placed second in Group 1-A.

First place went to Eisenhower with a score of 74.79, with Serra right on their heels with 74.51. Rounding out the category was North Catholic, scoring 72.28.

“Personally, the most challenging part of the show is when I have to play the music very fast,” Chirdon said. “When we play difficult music fast, the band and the pit sometimes do not stay together and it can cause a lot of confusion, especially when we are on the field and are so far away from each other. However, I know the more we practice, we will all get much better.”

“As always, the Serra Band is a wonderful group of hardworking students,” Bush said. “There are a lot of new faces in the group this year. I am proud of the work they've done so far and look forward to a great season.”

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

Originally published September 09, 2024.

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