The Marching Middies are not just about parades anymore.

Middletown High School’s marching band returns this fall to the competitive circuit for the first time in more than a decade. Band Director Guy Johanson excitedly shares that the group finally has the student interest and involvement needed to return. Johanson has directed the marching band program for several years, and believes he has the combined parent support, staff numbers and student interest needed for a return to the competitive circuit.  

Competitive marching requires more of a rigorous and technique-focused performance than a typical halftime show. Bands are rated and ranked based on categories that include music and visuals, with the potential to win awards in those categories both as individual students and as an ensemble. There is even a "Festival" bracket, under which bands, similar to an exhibition match in many sports, are still rated but not ranked. Middletown plans to compete in this bracket for their first competition, and are hoping to move up to LG3 (Large School 3). The Middies are competing against bands with similar district enrollment size and experience.

Johanson and fellow band staff member Faraz Ardalan are leading this return during the entire 2026-27 school year. They need some time to finish working out the finer details, adapting rehearsal structure and re-organizing band resources. Ultimately, their goal for this season, according to Johanson, is to “get this right,” even if it means taking it slow.

Our scholars have been rising to meet that challenge. Rehearsals have increased to twice a week, and last about two hours. There is strong student leadership amongst the seniors and juniors as well. That includes the band's Drum Majors, or student conductors, Gianna Lebron, Janessa Serrano, and Benjamin Grazier. The excitement and energy among the band, which was already high, has been growing as they prepare to travel to Kingston for their first competition on October 25.

This dedication from our scholars goes beyond their instruments and the practice field. With the recent growth and interest in the band program, their fund-raising efforts are also growing. The Middies will be running fund-raisers through the next couple months, including a highly anticipated popcorn fundraiser in November.

Johanson hopes to acquire more staff, as typical competitive marching bands have as many as 10 staff members. Johanson and Ardalan are doing it all themselves, with support from the Marching Middies Parent Booster Club. The Parent Booster Club supports the band by helping to organize fund-raisers, chaperoning parades and trips when needed, and helping with band resources.

We wish the Marching Middies good luck with their season and can't wait to see what they do next!