Just as sure as summer marches into fall, so, too, do the North Atlanta Marching Warriors march into this autumnal season of football and school spirit.

No Warrior football game is complete without the band’s spirited halftime show. This year’s show is a mixture of pop, hip hop and rhythm and blues. Adam Brooks, the band director, is leading his musical charges for his 10th year at North Atlanta. The musical selections for the fall are bouncy and meant to fire up Warrior fans at games. Titles include “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon and “Sugar” by Maroon 5.” This year’s drum major is senior Mary Hinton.

Brooks is the first to concede that with around 40 members, North Atlanta’s band is not as large as he’d like it to be. But the ongoing emphasis is on quality and not quantity of numbers.

One of the biggest challenges Brooks faces is recruitment. Although there might not be present widespread demand to join the band, there is a firm commitment to the band among those who are in it. “Students have recommitted and we have a very strong nucleus of leaders compared to last year,” Brooks said.

Part of Brooks’ challenges goes beyond the North Atlanta and extends to a district-wide issue. In the past there were fine art programs within Atlanta Public Schools at all grade levels, including bands in elementary and middle schools. In recent years, with ongoing budget cuts, many of these programs have been eliminated. These cuts have hurt band and orchestra programs – and have hampered recruiting efforts for the Marching Warriors. “We’re not happy about this and everyone’s hope is that these programs come back,” Brooks said.

Rebuilding efforts are afoot. Brooks and Gregory Denson, the band teacher at Sutton Middle School, plan to partner up to make sure students who join band in 6th grade continue on to join North Atlanta’s band when they are freshmen.

Thought small in number, excellence remains the standard, Brooks said. The band is gearing up for fall competitions that include the Vanguard Showcase on October 11 at Lakewood Stadium and Competition Regionals on October 18 at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston.

Percussion line sophomore Taj-Malik Tavares said band participation is meaningful and always fun. “My favorite memory thus far has been meeting Mr. Brooks,” Malik said, possibly with a trace of buttering-up irony.

Sophomore flutist Fiona Blom said band is fun no matter what members are doing. “We love the games. And we love practice, especially the pushups in the mud,” she said, possibly with a trace of sarcasm.

Warrior family: If you love our school, you must hear our band! They bring spirit to our games and pep to our pep rallies. And if you can’t tap your beat to its rockin’ version of “Shut Up and Dance,” you have no pulse.