Fans who made it out to the first home football game of the season were presented with a sneak peak at this year’s marching band production, mixing classic music with some modern stylings in a show the Falcons have named “Apopalypse.”

Several of this year’s band leaders took some time to discuss the 2014 marching program, which includes a pair of arrangements and a closing medley.

Adam Rutkowski is a senior who plays mellophone and the French horn. He also serves as one of the band librarians. Seth Aker is a junior who plays tuba and also serves as band manager. These two gentlemen began the chat, filling in all of the nitty-gritty details pertaining to this year’s show.

“The first two songs feature a classical piece and a pop piece,” Aker explained.

“The first song is ‘Light em up’ and ‘Oh Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana. The second song is ‘Radioactive’ and ‘Dies Irae,’ [a Latin hymn]. The third song is a Daft Punk medley, an arrangement of Daft Punk songs.”

Rutkowski explained that the band decided on the new season’s theme at the end of the 2013-14 school year.

“Originally, there were two other songs in the arrangement,” Rutkowski continued.

“During the summer, [Band Director Lynn Truby] came up with the idea of having a battle between classical music and pop.

“I really love classical music, so having that style of music in marching band along with pop songs is a really cool concept to me.”

Aker, however, is excited for the closing number.

“My favorite thing about this show is the Daft Punk medley,” he said.

“It’s going to be a great way to close the show and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Both guys said that the marching formations are coming along nicely, along with the musicianship of this year’s shows.

About a third of this year’s band is made up of freshmen, but Rutkowski, Aker, and their upcoming conversation participants, agreed that the younger members are growing by leaps and bounds.

One of the things that sets this year’s program apart is the fact that the Falcons actually had their first two arrangements created from scratch. In other words, no other band in the country will be performing this particular show, and Fountain Hills High School halftime shows will be the only place you can see it performed outside of statewide competitions.

Only the opening number was played during the first game of the season and, as is tradition, the show will grow throughout the year as the band finalizes each number. Truby said her goal is to have the full three-song show on display in time for the two final home games of the season. Then, it’s off to the competitions.

“I think people will really like the closing medley,” Rutkowski said.

“It’s a lot of fun and it’s full of a lot of songs that people recognize, so we’ll be dancing, they’ll be dancing and it will be a good time.”

Gwyn Goltry and Scarlet Levy were next, the former another junior band librarian who plays the euphonium and the latter a senior flute section leader.

“The music is, seriously, awesome this year,” Goltry said.

“I’m so excited because every single song gets you so pumped. It’s going to be amazing.”

Levy agreed.

“It’s a very different vibe, mixing these different types of music together,” she said.

“It’s a really good musical selection, too. And we’re coming along well as a band, so it sounds good.”

Both ladies agreed that halftime is something fans should be looking forward to during this year’s games, especially the fun surprises the musicians have in store for the final number.

Senior Jonathon Trautman, who plays tenor drums and serves as the drum captain, said that he is actually not a fan of pop music.

“But almost anything, if you put it to marching music, I find it enjoyable,” he said.

“So I’m having a blast with it. I don’t like these songs on the radio but, played by the band, I love them.”

Trautman said that every show he’s been a part of with the Falcons has “big impact moments” that make being on the field an absolute thrill. This year’s show has several of those big moments, so Trautman said he’s looking forward to experiencing them alongside his bandmates.

“It’s an energy you can feel, so I kind of live for those moments in the show,” he said.

“There are some things, which I’m not sure I should reveal yet, that are going to be way different from shows we’ve done in the past, as far as choreography and visuals go. It’s going to be really exciting.”

Finally, senior baritone player and low brass section leader Alex Smith joined the conversation, alongside senior drum major Erica Schumacher, the second female in FHHS history to take up the position.

When it comes to her place at the head of the band this season, Schumacher said her desire to become drum major stems from a love for music, in general.

“I felt like this was a service I could give back to the band, after being a member for so many years,” she said.

“It sounded like a fun opportunity, so I seized it.”

Like their fellow bandmates, Smith and Schumacher said they are both very happy with this year’s musical selections.

“I really love the music,” Schumacher said.

Smith continued.

“I really like all of the modern pop songs and how they’re mixed in,” he said.

“It goes back and forth between the classical pieces and the pop songs, so it’s a really cool effect.”

Schumacher agreed, saying that the “Apopalypse” theme actually gives the show a storyline, carrying the audience through a journey via music.

Remaining home games for the season will take place on Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and Oct. 31. Rather than running to the restroom or concession stand during the break in football action, however, the marching Falcons said that fans should buckle up for even more entertainment.

“Our show is full of energy, and I think that will translate well to the crowd,” Schumacher said.

“It’s a really fun show.”

Smith added that the thread of more familiar pop songs weaving into the classical number should also pique the interest of listeners.

“These are songs the crowd will know,” he said.

“They’ll be entertained by what’s going on on the field at all times.”