With the 2026-2027 marching band season beginning, the Chieftains have the chance to revisit their 2020 show they were only to perform once due to global shutdown. Since the 2020 season was abruptly cut short due to Covid-19, the marching band chose to revive the show Piano Man from the 2020-2021 season.

It’s not always just director Brett Bays that chooses the show for the band; it’s also the drum majors that have a viewpoint and choice on it.

“We chose Piano Man because of the vibrant musical landscape and the range,” junior drum major Daniel Kasperek said. “You notice new things about it through every listen.”

Due to the fact there are many choices of show music, it had to be narrowed down to only a few options, making it difficult to decide on what to pick.

“There were other ideas, but it didn’t sound good as Piano Man, and it was very bland pieces,” senior drum major Madelynne Gabridge said.

Since the marchers from 2020 had only one authentic performance of this show, they would like to hear the show again but from a different perspective – the stands instead of the field.

“I think that the alumni are going to be very impressed with how the show sounds,” said Gabridge, “especially because I know we’re going to have a really good band and season this year.”