Marple Newtown High School’s annual Bandarama is an exciting high school marching band competition where talent, music and precision take center stage! On Saturday, October 4, join the Tiger Marching Band for an unforgettable evening when a dozen local schools showcase their incredible field shows, complete with powerful performances, intricate formations and spirited energy.
This year marks the Marple Newtown High School Marching Band’s 55th Bandarama. A tradition since 1970, the school’s marching band began in 1942 and rose to competitive prominence by the 1960s. Under the leadership of energetic director Larry McGriff, by 1969, the band achieved
notable success, including back-to-back wins at the Virginia Beach Band Festival. Mr. McGriff built on an already strong program, pushing it to
new heights. However, greater success brought increased costs — more students, instruments, uniforms and travel expenses. In response, Mr. McGriff, along with Treasurer John R. Longacre, parent leaders Robert Rust and Warren Given, and other dedicated parents, devised a fundraising plan: to host an annual home field band competition.
This event, named “Bandarama” by Mr. Longacre, debuted on October 3, 1970. It invited top area high school bands to compete, while raising money through ticket and concession sales, and cutting travel costs. The first Bandarama was a success, featuring several local schools, with Archbishop Wood High School emerging as the winner. As is tradition, the host of the competition does not compete. “That adds to the fun of Bandarama,” explained Marple Newtown Marching Band Director Dr. Jake Olimpi. “We get to perform on our home field without the pressure of the competition.”
Bandarama’s tradition has continued since 1970, first for many years under Larry McGriff’s direction and then his successors, Bearj Jehanian, Mike Massimo, and now Jake Olimpi. Thousands of student musicians have enjoyed the experience and have been fully supported by thousands of school officials, parents, patrons, and music fans.
A successful Bandarama would not be possible without the parents who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure its success. Angela Dobbins is a Marple Newtown Tiger Band alumnus and now a parent. For the past several years, she and her husband Steve have been part of the Marple Parent Band Association. “Bandarama has always been really special. Back when I was a student, my parents were heavily involved,” she recalled. “It’s been meaningful to carry on the tradition. Not only is it a proud moment to see how hard the students have worked, but it’s also fun getting to know the other parents and to work together on a common goal.”
Bandarama would also not be possible without the help of many local businesses that donate food and other items. “It’s a great trade for both of us,” she explained. “We are able to provide delicious food to other school staff in our hospitality tent and sell items to spectators. In return, our local businesses receive lots of advertising, which includes our Bandarama ad book.” Angela also said that over the years, Marple has been known for its fantastic hospitality. “We’ve always had a reputation for being great hosts, and we offer the food to the other bands’ staff free of charge,” she added. “That is certainly due to the generosity of our local businesses.”
Since it debuted 55 years ago, Bandarama has evolved alongside the changing landscape of both popular and marching band culture. The event has transformed from a showcase of regimented marching and precise geometric formations into a dynamic spectacle of athleticism and creativity. Today’s performances feature fluid, constantly moving sets that tell a story through choreography, dance and visual props, adding theatricality to the musical experience.
The musical repertoire has also expanded dramatically, moving beyond traditional marches and ballads to embrace a wide array of instrumentation—including keyboards, synths, vibraphones, bass guitars and even vocals—and musical selections that cross time periods, cultures and genres, from Stravinsky to Soundgarden. Dr. Olimpi understands the significant changes firsthand as he was a member of the Tiger band back when he was a student in 2007. “It’s definitely a fully different activity now,” he explained. “We now have custom uniforms, and the electronics make up so much of the show. We draw a lot of inspiration from drum corps groups.”
Through all these changes, one thing has remained constant: the passion, dedication and pride of the student performers, which continue to honor and build upon the legacy begun more than half a century ago. The Tiger Marching Band is excited to perform this year’s field show, “Hunting Wabbits.” They’ll also compete in six competitions this fall through USBands. Each band is judged based on a comprehensive system that evaluates various aspects of a band’s performance, including music performance, visual performance and overall effect.
Whether you’re a band enthusiast, a proud supporter or simply looking for a fun community event, Bandarama promises to entertain and inspire. Come cheer on these hardworking students as they bring their passion and dedication to the field—you won’t want to miss a beat! The evening begins at 6pm with Marple performing around 9pm. For more information, visit the Marple Newtown Music Alumni Facebook page.