Written by Rebecca Rosen

October is drawing to a close, and you know what that means: Halloween! We all know that there’s nothing better than a good spooky band show to get you in the right mood, so we compiled a list of a few of the best goblin, ghost, and ghoul-filled shows the 2021 season has to offer. Enjoy!

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The Pride Of Hillsborough Raider Marching Band - Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough, NJ

Hillsborough High School is not playing around this year when it comes to spooky shows. Their 2021 program “The Haunted” takes the Halloween energy to the max, complete with a grand piano on the field, candelabras, and the gravestones of dead composers. They even have their guard using fake bones as rifles! This 4 Open band is definitely one to look out for, placing first at the Yamaha Cup, South Brunswick HS Tournament of Champions, and Ridge HS Marching Madness. You can catch this haunting show at USBands New Jersey Open Class State Championships in Old Bridge, NJ on October 30, 2021, and at the USBands Open Class National Championships at Metlife Stadium on November 6, 2021. 

Soddy-Daisy High School Marching Trojans - Soddy-Daisy High School, Soddy-Daisy, TN

Soddy-Daisy High School is bringing a creepy energy to the field this season with their show “The Dark Side.” Their dark-cloaked Drum Majors, ominous voiceovers, and minor setlist, which includes Mars by Gustav Holst and Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem, are sure to make you shiver (and start craving candy corn). You can see this 4 Open band take the field at the USBands Southern States Championships in Chattanooga, TN on November 6, 2021. 

Gilmer High School Marching Band - Gilmer High School, Ellijay, GA

Stranger Things has become something of a modern Halloween classic since it first brought its spooky thriller world to our silver screens in 2016. Gilmer High School is bringing that world to the field this season with their 2021 program “The Upside Down,” which includes a selection of 80s music as well as the Stranger Things theme song. You can journey to the Upside Down with the 5 Open band on November 6, 2021 at the USBands Southern States Championships in Chattanooga, TN. 

The Lamar Band - Mirabeau B. Lamar High School, Houston, TX

The Lamar High School Band’s 2021 show, “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” based on the book by Ray Bradbury about a creepy traveling carnival, brings everyone’s fear of the circus to the 50 yard line. Their minor music selection and circus tent props help to give the show a creepier energy. There is even a section of the show where the winds moves in a circle, the front ensemble plays circus music, and the low brass makes elephant noises. You can see this show for yourself when the 2A Texas band performs at the USBands Remo Invitational - Houston in Magnolia, TX on November 6, 2021. 

Bordentown Regional Marching Band - Bordentown Regional High School, Bordentown, NJ

Bordentown Regional High School’s 2021 program “Cursed” is all about witches, so it’s definitely fitting for All Hallow’s Eve. Witches in the Color Guard move through the painted backdrop forest and fight over a magical item, creating a spooky Salem Witch Trials-eque vibe. Bordentown, a Group 2A band, placed third in their category at the USBands Yamaha Cup and second at the Jackson Memorial High School Showcase Of Champions. You can watch this witchy show for yourself when the band performs on November 6, 2021 at the USBands National A Class Championships in Allentown, PA.