With the start of the new 2025-2026 school year, the busy season of Friday night lights and weekend band nights is in full swing. This fall, the marching pride of Cortland Ohio takes the field with an energetic and crowd pleasing show entitled “March March Revolution.” The performance features unique dance moves during the downfield, Lakeview’s very first featured twirler in over 50 years and a recreation of the iconic “Dirty Dancing” lift scene. The marching Bulldogs have dedicated countless hours of rehearsal to this show, starting mid July under the hot sun. The amount of time students spend practicing every day shows the true dedication to putting on a good show.
For the 2025 band season, the marching Bulldogs have traveled to Springfield, Howland, played at home games vs Crestview and Jefferson and of course, our very own Lakeview Band Night. The Bulldogs have worked so hard on perfecting their performance and their hard work is paying off as the crowd cheers and applauds with support as the band shows off quick outfit changes, a drum feature, many solos and hand painted props.
Sophomore Drum Major and Trombone player Cole McNally says though it’s a lot of fun conducting, “Leading the Cupid Shuffle has to be one my favorite parts.” This iconic song performed by the Lakeview band has allowed them to invite other bands, alumni and staff onto the field. Cole added, “I think it’s really cool to see the other bands come onto the field to do it with us, the audience eats it up!”
Senior Vice President and Saxophone player Izy Ash comments on the true success of the marching band by saying, “We are constantly pushing the limits of what people think a traditional marching band can do, and we do it successfully.” This March March Revolution show proves to be something most people can only imagine; “We are executing it right in front of their eyes!”
On August 25th, the Lakeview Marching band hosted its 42nd annual band night, a long standing tradition that draws in students, parents, staff and alumni year after year. The evening showcased talented performances by Howland, Campbell, Niles and of course, Lakeview. The show introduced the Lakeview Future Majorettes who performed with the current 2025 Lakeview Majorettes. The young, future majorettes attended the annual camp held a week before the performance. They performed the Fight Song and “I wanna Dance With Somebody”, performed by the band and choreographed by High School Majorettes and instructor Carrie Probst. As the Mini Majorettes danced, many in the audience joined them, ramping up the power of the show.
Senior Majorette and Majorette Representative Melena Zervas says, “Teaching the mini majorettes is a full circle moment for me. Ever since kindergarten, I’ve wanted to be like “the big girls” and it was my dream to be a majorette.” Melena helps represent our band’s majorette legacy as she performs with 8 other girls; “There’s no greater feeling than preforming and feeling the energy and applause from the audience.”
As the Bulldogs marched on home turf at Don Richards Memorial Stadium, everyone could feel the overwhelming energy and love from the Cortland community towards the overjoyed band members. Despite a cold and windy August evening, the Bulldog band continued to play with pride; the stands completely full of loud cheering that could be heard blocks away.
Although the 2025 band season seems short, there are still many opportunities to see the Marching Bulldogs. The Lakeview Marching Band still has numerous football games, band nights, and an end of the season Halloween parade. Best wishes and support to the Lakeview Marching band and the seniors for the rest of their 2025-2026 band season.
