by Morgan Radwick and Amanda Crowl, design editor and staff writer

The Saegertown Marching Band is working on being the best it can be. The band chose the theme “More or Less” this year due to the small number of students in the program.  With only 21 members, they are striving to do more with less.

Despite a number of challenges, the band is working hard to gain an edge over the competition. Director Jason Papinchak wrote the music his students are performing, and color guard director Robin Oakes completed the performance with choreography. So far this season the band has participated in one competition through LMBA (Lakeshore Marching Band Association), placing third at McDowell High School on Sept. 15. In addition, they appeared in exhibition at General McLane on Sept. 8.

The twelve instrumentalists and seven color guard members have been working through the summer, including practices and a week of camp at Edinboro University in hopes of improving. Freshman Nicole Oakes believes that camp was beneficial to her and her peers. “I feel like we’re going to do better,” Oakes said. “At band camp, we got a lot done.”

The band is ready to take on their competition, and take first place. “It seems like a close race between us, Erie, and Corry,” said junior and drum major Sam Shelenberger. “But I think if we fix all the changes that need to be made and get everything ironed out, we will hopefully take home first.”

This Saturday, the band will perform at the North East festival at 6:30 p.m.