At each home football game this season, a group of Swampscott students takes the field, and it’s not the football players regrouping during halftime nor the cheerleaders – though their flips and jumps earn applause of their own.
A large group of students marches onto the field with trombones, guitars, drums, and more, performing as the Swampscott marching band.
“It’s a great culture,” said Ed Rovi, the director of the band. “I love it.”
This season, the marching band is performing “music through the ages.” Fifty-two students now take the field — a significant leap from the dozen or so Rovi began with 11 years ago.
“It’s their time to shine,” said Beth Balliro, a member of the Big Blue Band Boosters, who support the marching band.
The band also adds to the football game itself throughout the four quarters.
“They act as an accent,” Balliro said. “It’s a sense of energy, and it’s important to insert the arts wherever you can.”
The marching band played at Fenway when Swampscott played Marblehead in football last year.
“Our band is praised for its commitment and great sound,” said Roddy Young, a member of the Big Blue Band Boosters. “Even our neighbors in Marblehead are envious of our music program…Our bands play community concerts, add energy to our football team, and march in events like local Memorial Day parades.”
The students span a range of grades, musical abilities, and interests. Rovi works with high school students during a designated class period, while the middle school “feeder program” meets just once a week, with no scheduled class time.
“It gives them an outlet from their day-to-day classroom,” Rovi said. “And being part of the music program, they get to form friendships, they get to learn to communicate with one another, be inclusive, a family. I had that growing up in high school, and it was a great environment for me.”
Along the way, they learn the fundamentals of music, from terminology to intonation and rhythm, all while coming together in their signature blue uniforms and hats. They practice two nights a week throughout the football season, according to Balliro.
“Anyone who wants to can join,” Balliro said. “It’s inclusive and beautiful. It’s amazing that we’re able to have a structure like that…The cultural presence along with athletics is a game changer.”
The Big Blue Band Boosters are making an effort at football games this year to raise money for the band students. Each home football game, people have an opportunity to buy raffle tickets. Half of the proceeds go to a lucky winner and half goes to support things like a scholarship for a member of the senior class.
Individuals can also support the student musicians by donating their old instruments. By donating old instruments to the Swampscott music programs, Young said the next generations of musicians are able to grow.
For Balliro, though, the meaning of the marching band runs deep. She was in the band herself, performing saxophone. Her husband, JoE Douillette, also made a marching band appearance with the trombone. The couple has three children now in the band as well.
“It’s a long standing tradition,” Balliro said.
