On Friday, September 20, the atmosphere at the Evanston Homecoming football game was electric, with students, parents, and alumni gathering to celebrate school spirit. A highlight of the evening was the halftime show performed by the ETHS Marching Band, who dazzled the crowd with their eerie Beetlejuice-themed performance. The combination of lively music and creative costumes captivated the audience, drawing cheers and applause.
The ETHS Marching Band embraced the theme of Beetlejuice in a variety of ways, from the colorguard’s black lace costumes to the black and white striped suits of the drum majors. Another way they embraced the theme was through their song selections. “In our show we play the Beetlejuice opening theme, and our second movement is ‘Creep’ by Radiohead,” said Hannah McLeod, a flute section leader.
Anyone who has seen the marching band perform knows an iconic aspect of their performances are the shapes they form on the field while playing their instruments. This year, they based their formations on the spooky, undead motif of Beetlejuice. For instance, McLeod said, “We make a coffin at the end of the first movement.”
Isabel Niño, a color guard captain, added on, “The color guard makes the head of the coffin, and the rest of the band makes the rest.”
The color guard, a key part of the ETHS marching band, also embraced the Beetlejuice theme. “Our flags and our silks are all Beetlejuice themed. Our opener [flag] is black and white striped with green, and it’s actually different from normal flags because it’s got two green tails on the end,” Niño explained. “The second one is a different type of flag, it’s got purple and green, which are also Beetlejuice colors.”
When asked about her thoughts on the theme, Niño said, “I like the theme, I think our costumes are really fun.”
McLeod agreed. “I was surprised and I was curious to see how it would work out, but I think it is working out. It’s really fun music to play.”
Ariyana Martinez, another flute section leader, added, “It [the theme] really connects with the movie coming out.”
While the marching band’s performance at the Homecoming game only included two movements, Niño hinted at a new, third movement for upcoming performances. “We didn’t perform the third movement, but we do have a third one,” she said. “Color guard does have a third flag, it’s green but it’s like a starburst of green and that’s the one for ‘Jump In The Line’. It’s supposed to be bright and happy.” “Jump In The Line” by Harry Belafonte is the song for the third movement.
McLeod also alluded to a new prop the ETHS marching band will use in the future. She said, “There’s a giant blow up snake, the one from the movie. We’ve used the blow up snake for rehearsals, but not for a game yet.”
Zoe Powers, the third and final flute section leader, added, “On the field, we’ll have little kid tunnels to show the snake going up and under.”
The marching band’s dedication and hard work were evident as they flawlessly executed their routines, enhancing the homecoming experience for all attendees. Their performance not only showcased musical talent but also fostered a sense of school pride. As the game continued, the energy from the halftime show lingered, reminding everyone that the beloved spooky season is right around the corner.
