The Panther Valley marching band is looking to build on a successful year with help from some Weatherly students.

The two schools recently signed a cooperative agreement for musicians from Weatherly to participate in the Panther band in the school year.

“We’re going to do what PV does best, be a rah-rah band that is raucous to the nines - with some Weatherly kids,” said Dr. Steven Christ, Panther Valley band director.

Weatherly has a band program which marches in local parades. They don’t perform in halftime shows because the school doesn’t have a football team.

The two schools are about a 20-minute drive from each other, and their bands have played together at county band concerts.

One Weatherly student has signed up so far, but Weatherly band director Daniel Derflinger said he hopes to see more seize the opportunity.

“We’re all on the same team and here for the same purpose - to make music and grow as musicians together,” he said.

By joining the Panther Valley band, they will have a chance to perform in front of a crowd. And the Panther band will add to its roster.

Christ took over the band last year after his father, Mark, retired. They went from seven musicians to about 45 at the end of the school year.

“PV is no longer a small band. We’re growing,” Christ said.

He’s optimistic about the future because many of the musicians were still in junior high. The Panther band includes students in grades 7-12.

In the coming year they have plans to collaborate with the Panther cheerleaders, perform a video game-inspired halftime show, and play songs from TikTok and cartoons between downs.

“I’m happy, I love where the band is going,” Christ said.