Quaker Valley Marching Band Goes Green with “Shrek” Halftime Show

by Joelle Muretisch

This school year, the Quaker Valley Marching Band performed their halftime show “Shrek!” at each football game. Keeping true to the theme, the band played some of the classic tunes from Shrek and Shrek 2, including “All Star,” “Accidentally in Love” and the band’s favorites, “I’m a Believer” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Under the direction of Mrs. Zayna Shadid, the band strives to create a sense of fellowship, community, and pride across the entirety of Quaker Valley. The Quaker Valley Marching Band consists of 56 members from grades 8-12 with a series of sections and instruments, including percussion headed by Mr. Bert Lerini and a color guard headed by Spencer Clifford, a Slippery Rock University senior. Olivia Galluzzo, senior and the band’s current drum major, thinks the band’s greatest strength lies in the connections between members. “The band creates a sense of community where you can actually be yourself that you can’t find in other extracurriculars in Quaker Valley,” Galluzzo said.

After winning only two games in the 2024 season, members of the QVHS football team decided to push themselves during the 2025 season, representing our school with great pride and dedication. They went on to win four games this season against teams such as Freedom Area, Keystone Oaks, Valley and McGuffey. Anthony Strickland and Joziah Jackson lent their talents to both the marching band and the football team this year. “Every time the team got touch downs and won, it was always so exciting to see and be a part of it all,” said Cameron Peck, trumpet player and 3-year member of the band. “We had so much fun cheering on the team, and especially Anthony and Joziah.”

Immediately following their final halftime performance at the last football game of the season, the marching band appeared in the Sewickley Halloween Parade that occurred on Oct. 25. Expressing their true Halloween spirit, each section of the marching band dressed up in coordinated costumes, including themes like Star Wars, Phineas and Ferb, Scooby Doo, Toy Story, Ratatouille and classic Halloween monsters. While marching in the parade, the band played spooky tunes, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the iconic “Ghostbusters” theme. Dominic Killian, baritone player and a 3-year member of the band, loved the sense of community the parade provided. “I enjoyed marching the route of the parade and getting to see friends and family,” Killian said. “This parade was particularly enjoyable because we all got to dress up and see friends truly having a good time together in costume.”

Though the marching band season may have come to a close, many members of the marching band and other Quaker Valley students interested in the band culture have decided to participate in Pep Band through the winter. Pep Band is a group of Quaker Valley students who play stand tunes at the QVHS boys and girls basketball games. This year’s Pep Band director is junior Evan James. "Everyone should join Pep Band,” James said. “It is an awesome way to expose yourself to the band culture, grow with a community of amazing people, and just have fun and support the basketball teams.” 

The Quaker Valley Marching Band and Pep Band continue to grow in size, and both groups are always looking for new members with prodigious school spirit who truly embody being the “Pride of Quaker Valley.” Be sure to look out for the band in upcoming parades, pep rallies, and local Sewickley events, as they will return for the 2026 football season with new members and a fresh halftime show.

The Quaker Valley Marching Band preforms music from Shrek for the 2025 halftime show. The color guard even pulled out Shrek-green flags to match the theme.

Photo Credit: Joelle Muretisch