Schools Band Together For Pregame Anthem

Several of the musicians know each other.

A few are friends.

But Thanksgiving Day is the only day of the year the Marblehead and Swampscott High marching bands get to play together.

It's a time the students from the rival schools look forward to, said Swampscott Band Director Laura Bailey and Marblehead Band Director Scott Winship.

On Thursday at 9:30 a.m. the Marblehead players in their red uniforms and the Swampscott players in their blues rehearsed the Star-Spangled Banner.

They played outside the entrance to Marblehead High School, nestled in the u-shaped courtyard, surrounded by building on three sides.

The music played off the building's brick and glass and pushed outward toward the bronze Drummer Boy statue and the parking lot.

Even from a distance brass sounds filled the chilly air and drums thundered.

Between play the musicians chatted and ribbed each other — and did their best to stay warm.

Soon they took to Piper Field, red and blue forming a line on the bright green turf. 

Their feathered caps bounced in the breeze. 

In the cold temperatures the joint band belted out the national anthem, a resplendent sound signaling the start of the game.

Band Director Winship hopes to organize additional times for the players to play together.