Autumn is coming. You can feel it. The signs are all around us.

Nights are getting cooler. Students are returning to their studies. Leaves are beginning to change.

And the marching band season is in full swing.

The Conestoga Valley marching band has been a symbolic part of the fall season in Leola and surrounding communities for 47 years.

"For me, I think about Friday night lights," said Aaron Magaro, who's been the Conestoga Valley marching band's director for two years. "You have drums playing, you have cheerleaders cheering, you see footballs flying through the air. It's part of our culture in the United States. Marching bands are a (proud) part of the community."

"I'm trying to make (the Conestoga Valley marching band program) have tradition," Magaro continued. "We have a very good band, and it's been playing for quite some time. My focus is how it impacts the community. My hope is to make band a great part of the school environment."

Following 52 hours of summer camp in August, the Conestoga Valley marching band is currently two dates into its schedule of 10 Friday night football games. The band will also perform on five Saturdays this fall, including at Cedar Crest on Sept. 7, at Lampeter-Strasburg on Sept. 21, at Owen J. Roberts on Oct. 5 and at Conestoga on Oct. 19.

"We're providing kids an opportunity to collaborate and work hard," said Magaro. "Music impacts us emotionally and spiritually. In my environment, everyone is accepted. It's definitely an experience, but we're also learning. It's a team environment. It takes group collaboration to make music happen."

After graduating 25 seniors from last year's group, the current Conestoga Valley marching band has given new responsibilities to different members. Currently, the marching band consists of 50 members, only five of whom are seniors.

Junior Makayla Millisock is the drum major and the show's feature twirler, senior Liam Quan is the unit major, and the band's soloists are sophomore Gwen Unruh on the saxophone and junior Caleb Reiff on the trumpet.

"I want (the students) to enjoy what they're doing and to produce something they're proud of," said Magaro. "These kids are proud individuals and excited about playing music together as a group. They're a tight group. They're mature individuals."

"I'd like to see the band become a family," said Makayla, who was selected as the drum major by staff members after an audition process. "I want to see everyone be proud of what we put on the field. I think communication is the top thing. If we're not asking questions, we can't be as good as we can be. That and practice. You perform how you practice. You've got to work on your showmanship."

The Conestoga Valley marching band's 2024 six-minute field show is titled "Journey of the Heart." It explores the emotions of anger, sadness and joy through symbiotic combinations of music and movement.

"I live for the showmanship of what we do, the musicianship," said Magaro. "I want (the performers) to look good playing and moving. It's kind of like a musical on the field."

"We are a safe environment for all students," he added. "We value music and representing our community and school district."

For additional information about the Conestoga Valley School District, go to http://www.conestogavalley.org.