JCHS Marching Band Takes World Stage

For most marching bands, the season ends when the stadium lights go dark. For Johns Creek High School Marching Band, however, this year’s season will conclude in London.

From December 27 through January 3, the Gladiators will travel across the Atlantic, performing in the London New Year’s Day Parade, one of the largest New Year’s Day celebrations in the world. The journey will put Johns Creek musicians on an international stage, as they perform for thousands of spectators.

But there is plenty of marching to do before London.

The band’s competition season begins October 3 at the Kennesaw Mountain competition. Two days later, the marching band will perform at the Fulton County Schools Marching Exhibition at Cambridge High School.

On October 17, Johns Creek heads to Alpharetta High School for the Georgia National Band Championship, followed by the White Columns Invitational at Milton High School on November 1.

Behind the uniforms, music, and formations, students spend long hours rehearsing, soaking in measures and movements until the marching band finds achieves synchronicity. A step out of time or an entrance a beat too early can impact the outcome of a competition.

Not only will the marching band compete to dominate this Fall, but they will use every performance as an opportunity to sharpen the show before December.

The London New Year’s Day parade brings together thousands of performers from around the world for a route through some of the city’s best-known streets. For the JCHS marching band, the invitation to join the ranks ---puts Johns Creek on a global stage.