By Kayleigh Johnson ’22, editor in chief

The Pride of the Valley, LVC’s marching band, has been practicing its show since before the semester even began. 

The band consists of more than 130 students across many different majors. For one environmental science major, Shannon Peachey, this will be the last year she is able to call the largest marching band in the Middle Atlantic Conference home. 

Peachey has been involved with the marching band since she arrived at LVC as a freshman in 2018, except last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is excited to be back on campus and marching with her fellow Dutchmen once again. 

“This is a great show to end my marching band career with,” Peachey said. “The music is fun and exciting with some really cool brass parts.” 

In addition to game performances, the band also performs at a variety of competitions and shows across Pennsylvania. One such competition is the Cavalcade of Bands Championships in Hershey. In 2021, this championship will be held Saturday, Nov. 13, and Sunday, Nov. 14, in the Hersheypark Arena. 

The Pride can also be found helping to run an annual summer band camp. The camp persisted even in 2020, when it was held virtually due to the pandemic. 

The marching band performs both pregame and halftime shows during home football games. Members have been gearing up to share it with the campus. The show’s theme is “The Art of Movement.” 

In Peachey’s words, “The sets we move to are really powerful. I love how marching band tells a story, and I think we tell a really strong story through our music and sets.” 

The last chance to see the Pride of the Valley perform was Saturday, Nov. 6 on Arnold Field.