After a two-year hiatus, the Pitman High marching band is returning to action at the 4th Annual Preview of Champions. The free parade will feature numerous Northern and Central California high school marching bands competing for top prizes.

"We are excited to perform again and are proud to be the first band to perform at the first band review of the season," said Pitman Band Director Ruben Modesto.

The marching bands are separated into divisions based on the number of students in the group and the groups compete against similarly sized in a military style marching competition where they are judged on the following: music, showmanship, marching, auxiliaries, drum major, percussions and sweepstakes. 

“The Marching Pride has been working hard to get back into shape after a two-year marching hiatus. Practices started at the end of July with a week-long band camp, and continue both during the school day in classes and at their weekly three-hour long Monday night band practices,” said event coordinator Patti Allen.

The Pitman Marching Pride has an impressive history of placing in the top three schools in their division in many of the events they have participated in, according to Allen. As the host school for the Pitman Preview of Champions, they will not be allowed to compete for a trophy.

While they will be the first band to march in the Sept. 25 event, their performance will be strictly for exhibition. However, they will get a chance to compete at the other three band reviews they are attending when they travel to other competitions in October and November.

The free parade starts at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at N. Tegner and Atherstone roads, down the street from the high school. Drumline competition runs simultaneously near the intersection of Sandstone Avenue and Persimmon Road.