Marching Band performs at MCPS Marching Band Showcase

On Saturday Oct. 25, Blair’s Blazer Pride Marching Band took to the Einstein football field as part of the annual MCPS Marching Band showcase and performed their 2025 season competition piece, ‘Marian: The Lady Hood of Sherwood Forest.’ The piece is a gender-swapped retelling of the story of Robin Hood, with junior colorguard captain Leena Bellows playing Lady Marian, senior drum major Andrew Luse playing the evil sheriff, and Prince Robin played by senior Aidan Carle. Bellows explains that the storytelling aspect of the piece is one of her favorite parts of it. “I love the theatrical part of [our show], the acting we get to do… This year, we really have a show piece rather than just a musical performance,” she says. 

TRUMPTET

Photo: Senior Zadie Smith enthusiastically rallies peers

Senior Zadie Smith enthusiastically rallies peers Photo courtesy of Zach Carter.



The piece began with some expository narration, after which Marian tore off the deep green cloak she’d been wearing, dramatically revealing her unique costume. The band launched into a complex series of movements with no pauses, all while playing a bright fanfare. During these movements, Marian and her companions stole a cartoonish bag of money from the drumline, and Prince Robin stumbled around the field, lost. After her heist, Marian came to his rescue, and the two fell in love as the prince lifted her high. 

Their story was not over, though: Robin became surrounded and trapped by the drumline, acting as the evil Sheriff’s soldiers. To rescue him again, Marian beat the Sheriff in a dramatic choreographed fight, sending him to the corner of the field. She climbed up and began to conduct the band, who played a triumphant, heroic ending piece. 

The Blazer Pride Marching Band has placed well in every competition this year, with two first-place results and one third-place result out of their three competitions. Bellows explains why she thinks the band’s scores have been so much higher than in the past. “At our last competition, we got a higher score than we did at states last year… Our enthusiasm with this show, the judges can see it. And I think that’s reflecting on our score.” 

Luse follows up on this idea, describing how the atmosphere this past year has been more conducive to the band's impressive results. “We’ve been able to build systems of communication and organization that really help us… This year, we have really talented section leaders [who] are really good at getting to the root of the problems fast, and eliminating bad habits before they become habits,” he explains. 

According to Luse, the band has a lot to look forward to at their state competition this weekend, as long as they’re able to maintain their focus and bring their all. “When everyone’s focused and working together, you can learn pretty much any movement very fast. When someone’s [distracted], that’s what sets us back… But everyone’s ability and talent is there. We can do it.”

The Blazer Pride Marching Band next performs at their state competition on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Towson University. Make sure to wish them luck if you see them around Blair!