Strike up the bands! Marching band season is here.

Saturday is the annual Crimson Marching Band Invitational, which kicks off the local competitive marching band season.

Elkhart County has seven competitive high school marching bands preparing for the next several weeks of competition. A few thousand people will likely turn out for the Goshen event Saturday, and those crowds will continue to follow bands through the coming weeks of competition: local invitationals, followed by the Indiana State School Music Association’s contests.

There are “a lot of teachers and students and parents that see the all-encompassing value of being in band and marching band,” Scott Spralding, Concord’s band director, said. While sports can also bring a community together, participation on game days is often limited to a small group, he pointed out.

“There’s nobody on the bench,” he said. “They’re all in ‘the starting five.’ They all play at the varsity level.”

While there is certainly competition between local bands, Spradling said that there aren’t rivalries.

“They’re our friends and ultimately we’re doing the same thing — we’re trying to get kids to be the best they can through the vehicle of marching band,” he said.

Goshen Director Tom Cox also mentioned the friendship between local bands, despite competing on the weekends.

“Every kid deserves a standing ovation,” Cox said. “I don’t care what school you’re from, these kids have been working hard, and (often) in the heat.”

A few directors also said that the local interest in marching band is likely tied to the importance of musical instrument companies in the area.

“It’s almost like the community’s coming together and showing their best stuff,” Spradling said.

Central Director Scott Garner noted that having such quality bands “right down the road from one another” adds to the county’s enthusiasm.

“I’m sure a little healthy competition helps,” he said.

The Crimson Marching Band Invitational starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at Goshen High School, 401 Lincolnway East, Goshen.

Thirteen bands, including all seven of Elkhart County’s bands, will perform. As the event’s host, Goshen will perform but not compete for placings like the other bands.

Tickets are $6 for general admission.

Here’s a glimpse at Elkhart County’s seven competitive high school bands.

Concord

Class B

Size: 213

Directing staff: Scott Spradling, director; Steve Peterson, Bryan Golden, Cameron Bradley, assistant directors

Show: Clash of the Patterns, will include competing rhythms, colors, visual patterns, all clashing and building upon one another

Director’s comments: The band has been practicing with a lot of enthusiasm, Spradling said, but still really needs to work on its consistency.

“We’re obviously excited to see where the season takes us,” he said. “Every year is its own unique sort of organism. It evolves and changes and you don’t know for sure where it’s going.”

Concord’s Marching Minutemen were last year’s class B state champions, but Spradling was quick to note that last year’s honor has no impact on how this year will go.

“That was a great thing and we were very honored to be in that position,” he said, “but it doesn’t mean diddly this year. We’re starting from scratch... it’s a completely different drill, completely different show, completely different chemistry.”

ElkharT Central

Class B

Size: 170

Directing staff: Scott Garner, director; Dan Burton and Sandra Carnall, assistant directors

Show: “Shattering,” a show examining what it means to shatter and making something better out of the broken pieces; will include the breaking of “mirror-like” objects during the show

Director’s comments: Central’s band is not only returning to class B this year, after being in class A, but also has a new director.

After 10 years leading Fairfield’s band, Garner is now with Central.

“It’s a big adjustment for everybody,” he said, “but the kids have been really flexible with how I do things.”

Garner said that “everybody has expectations” when a band that’s been competing in class A moves to class B. The band is trying to focus less on that, though, and more on creating a unique show, he said.

Their goal, he said, is that “despite whatever the placings are, that we walk off the field with a show that people really remember in a positive way.”

Elkhart Memorial

Class B

Size: 141

Directing staff: Kurt Weimer, director; Tim Carnall and Jake Robaska, assistant directors

Show: “I Just Called...,” a show about phone calls, including why people call, missed calls, wrong numbers, telemarketers and more

Director’s comments: For the first time, Memorial is now in class B, which Director Kurt Weimer said is “definitely more appropriate” for their size.

That doesn’t mean their contests will be easier, though, he pointed out. “Class B is very competitive.”

They’ve made a few staffing changes, he said, and are approaching practices a little differently too. That included watching the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, a 14-time Drum Corps International World Champion, in early August.

“Our goal is always to go as far as we can in a season,” he said.

Fairfield

Class C

Size: 64

Directing staff: Andrew Muth, director; Scott Lehman, assistant director

Show: “One,” a show about the difference one person can make

Director’s comments: It’s Andrew Muth’s first year directing the Falcon Pride and he said “everything is going beyond all expectations.”

“I was lucky enough to come into a program that’s well established and with great students and parents — really supportive parents,” he said.

Muth said the theme of this year’s show comes from a speech former President John F. Kennedy gave, which included the quote: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” Muth said that he and the staff are working with the kids to “dig deep emotionally” and talking about what it means to lead people or to make a difference in the world and what sacrifices sometimes need to be made to do that.

His goal, though, Muth said, is “that we’re able to tell a compelling story and that the audience is able to engage.”

Goshen

Class B

Size: 178

Directing staff: Tom Cox, Josh Kaufman and Max Mault

Show: “Musica d’organo,” a show highlighting organ symphonies

Director’s comments: Especially for having such a large freshman class, things are going extremely well, Director Tom Cox said, recognizing Josh Kaufman and Max Mault for their leadership with the band, as well.

The band’s goals, Cox said, are to “expose our kids to great music and get better musically,” since you can’t control how judges see a band.

Some students were a bit hesitant about putting together a show around organ symphonies, Cox said, “but I think the music’s really growing on the kids.”

NORTHRIDGE

Class B

Size: 130

Directing staff: Brad Zook, director; Bryce Cone and Drew Miller, assistant directors

Show: “Et in Terra Pax,” which translates into “And on earth peace.” The show focuses on conflict, peace and conflict resolution.

Director’s comments: With 130 students, Northridge has the largest group its had in a while, according to Director Brad Zook. That makes things easier in some ways, he said.

They create “a bigger sound, they play with more confidence with more students,” he said.

He also said the band’s seniors have really taken on leadership roles within the group.

“I’m very pleased so far,” he said.

NorthWood

Class C

Size: 64

Directing staff: Eric Criss, director; Maureen Gray, assistant director

Show: Sunday in the Park featuring the music of Pat Metheny

Director’s comments: The Red Regiment has a “huge” freshmen class this year, Director Eric Criss said. “All the students are working hard and progressing.”

Criss said that every year, the band’s goal is “to exceed last year’s ensemble.”

“We hope to do this by learning quicker and developing the show faster throughout the season,” he said.