In Schaumburg and Palatine, it’s become a much-loved tradition, when local high school marching bands burst down the street. Dressed in colorful costumes that coincide with their sections, these parades signal the beginning of school — and the start of fall football and Friday Night Lights.
Both the Palatine High School marching band and the Schaumburg High School marching band took to the streets Thursday, much to the delight of neighbors and families.
“It’s a great way for our students to practice the skills they’ve learned throughout band camp and prepare for the Septemberfest Parade,” says Schaumburg Band Director Vinnie Inendino, “as well as connect with some of our neighbors, literally outside their front doors.”
Palatine’s Band Director, Carlos Esquivel is new this year to the school, but the parade tradition really excited him — and he was thrilled to see the response from the community.
“I truly felt that we were announcing the start of the school year in the neighborhood,” he says. “In my first year, it was great seeing so many community members come out to cheer on the band. I could tell that what our students did in our ensembles was something that the community valued.”
Schaumburg High School drumline
Students in Schaumburg played their parade tune this year, the pop hit, We R Who We R, by Kesha. The song, with its driving rhythm, is part the Saxons’ 2025 season theme, Icons, which features music of female pop artists from the last 25 years.
In fact, students will be learning a new halftime show each week, which will feature 11 charts by nine different artists. Hits by these top female pop artists will range from Demi Levato and Beyonce, to Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.
Palatine’s halftime show, by contrast, features “Broadway to Hollywood,” with music from hit musicals that were also hit movies on the big screen, including “And All That Jazz” from Chicago, “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King, and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.
Palatine High School symbols’ players
“We were inspired to do this show since the second part of Wicked is coming out later this year,” Esquivel says. “Additionally, since the shows are performed chronologically, we loved the timeline aspect of it because Palatine High School is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.”
Inendino likes to engage his young high school musicians by playing popular music they enjoy. Take last year, when Schaumburg’s halftime show featured an electric guitar solo from Metallica’s Master of Puppets album, that was featured in Season 4 of Stranger Things.
“Our students are excited for the challenge of learning more music this season,” Inendino says. “Many of our students were familiar with several of the charts already, and they have been very motivated this summer as we’ve started learning the music.”
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