With the football season in full swing, the Haven Marching Band is working just as hard.

Practice starts two weeks before the school year and continues throughout the football season, sometimes all the way to November. They meet three times a week during fifth blocks and every Friday night to support the football team on the field.

Despite the hard work, exhaustion, and time spent on a hot summer day or after a long day of school, those involved in the band found it to be worth it.

“Every week, I actually genuinely look forward to Friday nights,” Band Director Mr. Nicholas Pignataro said.

Many students noted that to them, band is a kind of family.

“It’s a wonderful group of people, I love being able to be with friends in the band and put together a show,” junior assistant head field major Colin LeStourgeon said. “It can be a lot of work, but once that shows on the field, you really feel like you’ve accomplished something and that’s a great feeling.”

What is next after the marching band is over? The Haven music program has a lot in store.

Planning for the spring musical “Mean Girls” has begun. Student musicians have the opportunity to be part of the pit.

After the band season, modern band, jazz band, wind ensemble, and symphonic band shift into high gear to prepare for upcoming concerts.

In early November, many of Haven’s musically committed students will travel to Rustin High School to participate in PMEA’s District Band, where they will audition for a spot to play among the best student musicians in the area.

“I do see the students who this is their lifeline, that everything revolves around the music, and I see students that participate a little bit and get a ton out of it and everything in between,” Pignataro said. “It would be a sad world without music, and I think it’d be a sad school without a music department, so I’m glad it’s here.”