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New director gets Peters Township High School marching band ready for season

By Suzanne Elliott 2 min read
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On a rainy August morning, Lorne Hyskell, the new director of the Mighty Indians Marching Band, found himself trying to position 140 uniformed teenagers for a group photo.

As Hyskell looked up into the bleachers at Peters Township High School’s football stadium, he told one band member to sit straighter and another to look at the camera. Finally, the photo was taken, and members scattered to be in other band pictures.

Hyskell, who was hired in July, said when he saw the opening for the job, he immediately applied for the position because of his previous experience working with Peters marching bands at various camps.

“They were very respectful,” said Hyskell, 22, a 2016 Duquesne University Music Education graduate.

In his new position, Hyskell, a native of Punxsutawney, is responsible for teaching band formations and the music, as well as choosing student band leaders and selecting uniforms.

“All of this starts from something on a sheet of paper that you add a visual layer to,” said Hyskell, who plays saxophone, trombone, trumpet and guitar. While at Duquesne, Hyskell participated in the Symphony Band and Wind Ensembles, as well as saxophone quartets.

“I have played the saxophone since I was in fourth grade,” said Hyskell, who was also a member of his high school’s marching band.

Hyskell has had band members practicing four-plus hours a day to get ready for the start of school and football season, The Mighty Indians will be playing at all Peters Township High School football games, as well as various parades.

“Our group goes so far beyond playing instruments,” he said. “They are proud of what they do. I want to take them to the next level.”

And just a month into his job, Hyskell is already drawing positive reviews.

“We love him,” said Maureen Nee, president of the Peters Township Music Boosters. “He is positive and high energy, and very engaged with the parents.”

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