WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Warrior Marching Band had a stellar showing in their first competition of the 2025-2026 season, or as they would say in the 1920s, they were the bees’ knees. WMHS came in first place in their division and received the highest score awarded for the day.
The New England Scholastic Band Association’s season-opening Fall Event was held at Hormel Stadium in Medford this past Saturday. Wakefield competed against Oakmont Overlook Regional High School which finished with a score of 78.02.
Wakefield presented this year’s show titled “Gatsby” which features music from the 2013 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Great Gatsby.” In their performance, Wakefield received a score of 81.56. The show opens with the song “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” by Fergie, Q-Tip and GoonRock and also features “It Don’t Mean a Thing” by Duke Ellington, “Young and Beautiful” by Lana DelRey and “Gatsby Believed in the Green Light” by Craig Armstrong.
Thomas Bankert, the director of Visual and Performing Arts for Wakfield Public Schools, says they chose “Gatsby” as this year’s theme to combine the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, as well as the fun of the Roaring 20s, with the added music from the more recent film. Bankert says the band really stepped it up to be ready for this weekend. “Saturday was the earliest in the calendar we have ever marched for judges. We are excited to not only improve what we performed on Saturday but also add music and visual elements to the show throughout the season.”
On Saturday, September 27, the Wakefield Warrior Marching Band will compete at Melrose High School and next month will host an event at Landrigan Field on October 18.