STHS Marching Band

The Art of Madness

An abstract view of Lewis Carroll, Vincent Van Gogh, and Ludwig van Beethoven- all gifted artists who straddled the line between genius and madness in their own unique ways.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2008 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band! The band is comprised of 47 musicians, 13 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Major Andrew Bowling.  The band has always presented unique musical and visual programs with a flair for fun and this year is no exception.

Our 2008 program is entitled "The Chase".  The program is a "chase" through the musical and visual themes, all woven together using references to some great spy movies, music, and characters.  We are certain you will "spy" the familiar melodies throughout the program, all with the usual "Hanna twists."

The "prologue" introduces the beginning of the chase, and features Kaitlyn Perbetsky on mellophone.  The second section is a reference to all the "spy girls" who always find ways to distract our heroes, and features Adam Rau on baritone and Lauren Shellhamer on trumpet.  The "epilogue" is the final section in which our spy finds his adversary and begins the final "chase" to the big capture, and features Elias Bargo on baritone, Lauren Shellhamer on trumpet, and Kaitlyn Perbetsky on mellophone. Listen and watch closely as all our "spies" join together in the "chase" to a dramatic and "Incredible" finish.

The band is directed by Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant director, drill designer and instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant music director and visual assistant is Mark Kothe.  Assistant drill instructors are Mike Supko and Bill Shellhamer.  Color Guard instructor and designer is Ron Massey.  Chief percussion instructor and arranger is Gary Gill.  Percussion assistants are Ryan Speck, Ian Taylor, and Stephanie Whittington.  Our Student teacher this year is Eric Boylan.

The band would like to thank the Susquehanna Township Music Boosters for their tireless and unwavering support of our band program and for their assistance in keeping our band on the field, and we would also like to thank the Susquehanna Township School District administration for their support of our program as well.  We sincerely hope you enjoy our program.  And now- the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2007 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band! The band is comprised of 53 musicians, 11 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Major Andrew Bowling.  Our program for 2007 is entitled "Today Is Yesterday's Tomorrow: A Fusion of Music Past." The show is a Susquehanna Township-style union of classical music with classic rock that will be a fun-filled musical and visual journey through some great classics from both genres.  Although we will not divulge the titles of these great classics, we are certain you will be very familiar with every theme that makes up the program!

Movement one kicks off our tour using themes from two well-known composers before the rockers invade the scene, featuring Andy Locke on trumpet, Kaitlyn Perbetsky on mellophone, and Nestor Carrera on baritone.  The second movement is our tribute to one of the greatest British bands that became popular in the "new world" as well, featuring Kaitlyn Perbetsky on mellophone.  Next we feature our percussion section with a popular rock classic that is recognizable to every serious drummer and "guitar hero."  The last movement is a musical and visual explosion of two very popular classical pieces fused with some timeless rock classics that will take many unexpected twists and turns along the way.  If you don't recognize the music in the show- where have you been? Due to fire code regulations, no lighters may be used in recognition of this evening's performance!

The band is directed by Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant director and drill instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant music director and technician is Mark Kothe.  Assistant drill instructor and marching specialist is Mike Supko.  Drill technicians are Bill Shellhamer and Tom McDonald.  Color guard instructor and designer is Ron Massey.  Head percussion instructor and arranger is Andy Hostetler.  Percussion technical assistance is provided by Brian Miller.  Sideline Percussion instructor and arranger is Gus Burghdorf.  Sideline percussion assistance is provided by Sharon Zearfoss.  Drill designer is Silvia Perbetsky, and the band arrangements are by Bill Perbetsky.

We would like to thank the administration of the Susquehanna Township School District for their continued support, and especially the STHS Music Boosters Association for all of their time, effort, and creativity in keeping the music alive for our kids! We would not do it without you.  Sit back, relax, and take a journey with us as we go "rockin' with the classics." We hope you enjoy this evening's performance.  And now, the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2006 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band! The 9 time chapter 6 group 2 champion band is comprised of 49 instrumentalists, 9 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Major Renee Custer.  Our program for 2006 is entitled "Sound Prisms," a musical and visual representation of reflected sound.

The opening movement represents an angular reflection of sound- strong, aggressive and well-defined; featuring Holly Beistline on trumpet, Perry Oddo on alto sax, Ben Segal on tuba, and Anne Staudenmaier on mellophone.  The second movement represents a more rounded reflection of sound- soft, longer, and somewhat translucent; featuring Ian Bowling on baritone, with Brian Rosenthal and Andy Lock on trumpets.  The final movement is introduced by the percussion sections and depicts a "kaleidoscope" of reflected sounds; always changing and taking on new shapes and character as it morphs toward the exciting finish, featuring Anne Staudenmaier on mellophone.  We sincerely hope you enjoy our program this evening.  The band would like to thank the administration of Susquehanna Township High School, the Board of School Directors, and the STHS Music Boosters for their continued support of our music program.  And now- the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Show designer and drill instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant music and visual instructor is Mark Kothe.  Assistant drill instructor and marching technician is Mike Supko.  Sideline Percussion instructor and arranger is Gus Burghdorf.  Chief percussion instructor and arranger is Andy Hostetler.  Assistant percussion instructor and technician is Ken Hackman.  Color Guard instructor and arranger is Ron Massey.  Assistant guard instructor is Jackie McCoy.  Assistant technicians with the band this year are Greg Sneed, Tom McDonald, Kyle Schrauder, and Bill Shellhamer.  Thank you, and have an enjoyable evening!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2005 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band! The band is comprised of 48 musicians, 14 Color Guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Majors Renee Custer and Nathan Kepner.  In keeping up with our tradition of unique and interesting show concepts, we are proud to present "2005 - A Hanna Space Odyssey". 

The show opens with "TAKEOFF", featuring Anne Staudenmaier on mellophone and Bill Shellhamer on baritone.  As our ship speeds through the atmosphere into space, we segue directly into "ZERO GRAVITY", featuring Holly Beistline on trumpet, Bill Shellhamer on baritone, as well as the entire low brass section.  The final selection, entitled "CONQUEST", features our saxophone section, our expanded percussion section, and the usual "Hanna twists" that always find their way into our programs.  We are certain you will enjoy our cosmic adventure!

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Show designer and drill instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant music instructor is Mark Kothe.  Assistant drill instructor and visual technician is Mike Supko.  Associate visual assistant is Sally Bowman-Keaveney.  The color guard is instructed by Ron Massey.  Our sideline percussion instructor is Gus Burghdorf, with assistant provided by Kyle Shrauder.  Our battery percussion instructor is Terry Bieler, with assistant provided by Corey Leese.

The band would like to thank the STSD administration for all of their support of our music program, and we would also like to thank our Music Boosters Association for their continued efforts in keeping the music playing.

And now, ready for take-off, the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2004 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!  The band is comprised of 50 instrumentalists, 14 color guard performers, and is under the field direction of drum majors Nate Kepner and Renee Custer.  The STHS marching band is known for their creative and exciting musical and visual programs, and this year's show is no exception to this tradition.  We once again take our audiences on an intriguing musical and visual journey!

Our 2004 field show is entitled "Rendezvous with the Other Side," a fusion of classical music with "the other side," which is a reference to another form of a popular music style, with the usual Hanna twist! The show opens with a unique presentation of Borodin's Polovetzian Dances fused with a very familiar favorite everyone will be sure to recognize, featuring Alex Bender on trumpet, and Chris Post on mellophone.  Next we present an interesting treatment of Ravel's Bolero we like to call "My Favorite Bolero," featuring Kyle Shrauder on snare drum, Nate Kepner on alto sax, Alex Bender on trumpet, Ashley Miller on baritone, and Chris Post on mellophone.  Our show closes with Beethoven and Mozart "letting go" a little bit, experimenting with Latin polyrhythms and the music of Dave Brubeck in a very fun and entertaining piece we have called "Ludwig Mambozart," featuring our percussion sections, Paul Miller on the drum set, and Alex Bender on trumpet.  We are certain you will enjoy coming with us to "Rendezvous with the Other Side!"

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant Director, Drill Designer, and Instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant Drill Instructor and Marching Coordinator is Mike Supko.  Assistant Musical Director and Drill Assistant is Mark Kothe.  Color Guard Instructor and Designer is Ron Massey.  Assistant Color Guard Instructor is Jackie McCoy.  Percussion Caption Head and Battery Percussion Arranger is Terry Bieler.  Pit Percussion Instructor and Arranger is Gus Burghdorf.  Assistant Percussion Instructors are Korey Lesse and Carol Bieler.  Band arrangements are by Bill Perbetsky.

The band would like to thank the STHS music boosters for their tireless efforts and devotion to the band, and especially the STSD Administration for their support and encouragement to allow us to continue to develop all of our musical activities at Susquehanna Township.  And now, for your entertainment pleasure, please welcome the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2003 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band! The band is comprised of 54 instrumentalists, 16 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Majors Bethany Bagley, Ross McGraw, and Nate Kepner.

Our 2003 field show is entitled "A Night At the Opera." The show blends the old with the new to provide our audiences with a fresh look at opera music that is exciting, entertaining, creative and fun for everyone! The inspiration for the program comes from familiar operatic compositions with a "Township twist." We wondered what would happen if these famous composers had to write music for an ensemble that did not exist in their day, and the results are being presented for your enjoyment this evening.  We are certain you will never look at opera music the same way again! In scene 1, "CARMEN MEETS THE PHANTOM," featuring Chris Post on mellophone.  Scene 2 is a haunting ballad from Madame Butterfly which inspired the composers of the music for the show Les Misérables we like to call "GOODBYE," featuring Ashley Miller on baritone and Alex Bender on trumpet.  In scene 3, a famous clown officiates the wedding of Figaro with "HALLELUJAH! FIGARO GOT MARRIED," featuring our percussion and pit sections with exciting visual presentations from our horn line and color guard.  In scene 4 we use Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" from their "A Night at the Opera" album as a base for a grand finale of familiar classics we are certain you will enjoy, featuring Alex Bender, Dave Trexler, and Kim Thomas on trumpet, with Bethany Bagley on mellophone.  Many recognizable compositions are presented as the composers come together to create a finale for a modern music show.  Join us as Mozart, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, and Wagner come to the 21st century to share their music with a new audience.  We hope you enjoy your "Night At the Opera!"

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant Director, Drill Designer, and Instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant Drill and Music Instructor is Mark Kothe.  Visual Technicians are Mike Supko and Tammy Landis.  Head Percussion Instructor and Arranger is Steve Filippelli.  Percussion Technicians are Dotty Fitton and Terry Bieler.  Sideline Percussion Instructor and Arranger is Gus Burghdorf.  Head Color Guard Instructor and Designer is Ron Massey.  Assistant Color Guard Instructor is Jackie McCoy.  Band arrangements are by Bill Perbetsky.

The STHS band would like to thank the Susquehanna Township School District Administration and Music Boosters Association for their continued and tireless support of our music program.  Their support has allowed us the freedom and resources to continue to grow in our entire music program, and we are very grateful for their support! Sit back, relax, and enjoy our modernized night at the opera! Ladies and gentlemen, the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!!

Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. Tonight we are proud to present the 2002 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band! The band is the current Tournament of Bands Chapter 6 Champions in Group 2, and is comprised of 54 playing members, 12 color guard members, and is under the field direction of drum majors Lauren Chestney, Bethany Bagley, and Ross McGraw. Each year the band attempts to create more unique and entertaining programs, and this year is no exception.

This year, the band will present a show of mystery and magic through music.  It features Overture - Magic, Illusion, Mystique and Deception.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 2000 edition of the STHS Marching Band! The band is comprised of 53 playing members, 17 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Majors Shannon Pray and Alecia Hair.  

This year the band presents: "Scenes From the Jungle." The show opens with the high energy and exhilarating scene 1 entitled: "THE VILLAGE." Next we present the colorful and vibrant sensations of scene 2 entitled: "RAIN FOREST," featuring Shawna Yoffe on piccolo, Eric Deitrick on alto sax, Jason Sharp and Susannah Fisher on trumpet, and Ashley Gensel and Lauren Wenner on mellophone.  The percussion section is feature next with the driving rhythms of scene 3 entitled: "TRIBAL DANCE." The program closes with the excitement and energy of scene 4 entitled" "SAFARI." We are certain you will be drawn into the mystery, beauty, and excitement of the jungle!

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant director, and drill instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant music and drill Instructor is Mark Kothe.  Color guard instructor is Ron Massey.  Head percussion instructor is Steve Filippelli.  Assistant percussion instructors are Irv Stevenson, Paul Titel and Mark Hoover.  Sideline percussion instructor is Dottie Fitton.  Band and pit arrangements are by Bill Perbetsky.  Field percussion arrangements are by Steve Filippelli and Irv Stevenson. 

The band would like to thank the STSD administration for their continued support of our band program, and we would especially like to thank our Music Boosters Association for all of their time, energy, effort, and encouragement that keeps us always moving forward! Special thanks to John Custer for his design of our "jungle." We sincerely hope you enjoy our show.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight we are proud to present the 1999 edition of the STHS Marching Band! The band is comprised of 52 playing members, 17 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Majors Dana Markovitz, Betsy Hahn, and Flannery Amdahl.  We hope you enjoy our 1999 production entitled, "The Castle." Our story begins with the "OVERTURE" which depicts the beginning of a typical day in our mythical village surrounding the castle.  In the "FESTIVAL," we present a type of "street fair" atmosphere, where the Princess of our village oversees the fun and games being enjoyed by the townspeople.  Suddenly the festivities are darkened by an attack on the party and our castle, and the Princess is abducted.  In "THE SEARCH" we lament the loss of our Princess, a hero emerges that vows to find the Princess.  In the "FINALE," our hero indeed finds the Princess, and returns her to the Castle and her people, bringing an exciting and happy ending to our story!

Soloists and featured members in this year's show are: Jason Sharp and Susannah Fisher on trumpet, Ashley Gensel on mellophone, Paul Rothrock on baritone, Eric Deitrick on alto saxophone, Flannery Amdahl on violin, and Dana Markovitz as the Princess.

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant Director, Drill Designer, and Instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Assistant Music and Drill Instructor is Mark Kothe.  Color Guard Instructor is Ron Massey.  Head Percussion Instructor is Steve Filippelli.  Assistant Percussion Instructors are Irv Stevenson and Mark Hoover.  Sideline Percussion Instructor is Dottie Fitton.  Horn and Sideline Percussion music arrangements are by Bill Perbetsky.  Field Percussion arrangements are by Steve Filippelli.  Castle design is by clarinetist Dave Hunter.

The band would like to thank the STSD administration for all their support of our music program, as well as the STHS Music Boosters Association for all of their time and effort in keeping the music playing! We could not do it without them!

This year, the band invites you on a voyage on the high seas. The show opens as we board the S.S. Hanna with "THE VOYAGE," featuring Betsy Hahn on the mellophone and Mike Lipsett on the trumpet. Next we find ourselves "AT SEA," featuring Paul Rothrock on the baritone, and the color guard. While everyone is enjoying themselves, they are unaware of the oncoming "STORM," which features our percussion sections. After the storm, we present "GOING HOME" beginning with a hymn-like remembrance to those lost at sea featuring Nathan Grumbine on trumpet and Hillary Benish on the alto saxophone. As we recover from the storm, the excitement builds as we prepare to catch "good wind" for our journey home from the sea!

The Band would like to thank the Susquehanna Township School District and the Susquehanna Township Music Boosters Association for their continued support for the Marching Band program. We sincerely appreciate all their all their help keeping the music "afloat". We would like to thank clarinetist Dave Hunter for his design of the S.S. Hanna.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.  Tonight we are proud to present the 1997 edition of the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band.  The band is comprised of 55 playing members, 26 color guard members, and is under the field direction of Drum Majors Takia Colston and Harris Boyce.

This year's show brings a new dimension to the field for the band, as we explore man's conquest of good over evil with the legend of Pandora's Box.  In Greek mythology, Pandora was given a wedding gift by the god Zeus, which was a box.  She was told not to open it under any circumstances.  Curiosity eventually got the best of Pandora, and she opened the box, leaving all the evils not yet known to man out into a peaceful world.  Jealousy, greed, hate, war, gluttony, and death were among many of the evils that overcame the world.  Also inside the box was hope, which would give man a chance to overcome all the evils that had escaped.

The show opens "IN THE BEGINNING," with Pandora descending from Mount Olympus to marvel at her gift from Zeus.  The part of Pandora and her husband Epimetheus is played by Sally Bowman and Josh Bennett.  As she opens the box, the percussion section signals "THE ESCAPE," with Lee Pham on trumpet representing the first glimmer of hope.  As the evils disperse, the first evil to present itself is "JEALOUSY," with Alex Spiegelman on alto sax, Lee Pham on trumpet, and Brett Scott on tuba.  Lauren High is our featured guard performer.  Jealousy and greed lead to "WAR," featuring our color guard.  At the end of the war, we discover that nobody wins, and many lives are lost unnecessarily.  Jamie Irish is the featured guard performer.  When all seems lost, "HOPE" reappears to assist mankind in overcoming all the evils in the world.  The "beams of light" from the heavens descend upon us and provide mankind with the inspiration to overcome evil.  We then learn that without hope, there is no salvation for the good of mankind.  Hope features Missy Welter of the guard, the pit percussion section, and the full ensemble in an exciting conclusion to our story.  We truly hope you enjoy our presentation of "The Legend of Pandora's Box."  And now, the Susquehanna Township High School Marching Band!

The band is under the direction of Bill Perbetsky.  Assistant director, drill designer and instructor is Silvia Perbetsky.  Color Guard instructor is Ron Massey.  Percussion instructor and arranger is Steve Filippelli.  Sideline percussion instructor is Maria Nesi.  Assistant drill instructor and music assistant is Mark Kothe.  Assistant visual and musical instructor is Jeff Wilt.  Assistant percussion instructor is Deb Wilt.  Band and sideline percussion arrangements are by Bill Perbetsky.

The STHS Marching Band would like to thank the Susquehanna Township School District for our new brass and percussion instruments as well as all their continued support and efforts to promote the importance of music in our school.  We would also like to thank our Music Boosters for their countless hours of support, management, construction and assistance in keeping our program alive.  We are grateful to our School District and our parents for all of their help.  We sincerely hope you enjoyed our presentation.