Here at Palatine High School, football games are a cornerstone of student life. However, when people think of football games, they most often gravitate towards the student section. But while our athletes dominate the scoreboard, it’s really the marching band that gives these nights the energetic atmosphere.
Even before the game starts, the band is already working; marching the football team into the stadium, blasting sideline tunes and PHS Loyalty. From songs like “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede and the halftime closer, “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, the band always has a song to hype up the crowd and boost the overall morale.
For the band as a whole, football games are more about building school pride and giving a show for the audience, which is why they are the most important part in any high school football game.
“I think the band is really important for football games”, says trumpet player Stephanie Crabb, “It adds so much to the overall energy of the games and contributes a lot to school spirit.”
Beside school spirit, according to the article, “The Importance of Marching Band” by Jacob Fayville, the marching band actually increases win rates of the football game by “distract[ing] the enemy team within the bounds of the rulebook”(Fayville). Along with further evidence such as win rate percentages, this article maintains the point that marching band is crucial.
So what is the best part of football games here at PHS? Well, that answer may differ, but the most IMPORTANT part is the marching band. It is undoubtedly an irreplaceable part in making PHS football games such a fun tradition to be a part of.
