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The season for the Crofton Cardinals Marching Band (CCMB) begins for most students in early August with two weeks of Band Camp, including day-long rehearsals for the first week. Color guard, percussionists and student leaders attend an additional camp the week prior to Band Camp. Once band camp completes, after school rehearsals begin twice a week with some additional Saturday rehearsals. From September until the season ends in November, the marching band performs during Friday night home football games, often playing the National Anthem prior to the game and always performing their field show at halftime as well as spirited music in the stands throughout the game. The marching band also competes in Saturday competitions throughout the season, and hosts the annual Cardinal Classic, commonly called "the home show."
CCMB's 2026 Show is Empire City, featuring music from Billy Joel, George Gershwin, The Plain White T's and Jay-Z & Alicia Keys. Travel with the marching band to the city that never sleeps, where they capture the energy, chaos and beauty that is New York City.
They begin with "New York State of Mind" before a percussion break that evokes heavy traffic and crowded sidewalks. Then it's a return to jazz with "Rhapsody in Blue" before easing into the pop ballad of "Hey There Delilah." The marching band ends with the high energy "Empire State of Mind."
We hope you come out to watch the show!
Past Shows: Hysteria (2025), The Old Man in the Sea (2024), Restless (2023), Lost In Space (2022) and Shades of Red (2021).
Important Information
Important Information
Tuesday percussion section rehearsals, like color guard, will now end at 8:00 rather than at 7:00.
Check out our Volunteer Page for season Sign-Ups.
This year CCMB will host the fourth annual Cardinal Classic "Home Show" on Saturday, October 3. It's an all-hands-on-deck day for one of our largest fundraisers of the year - sign up here to help us earn money for much needed uniforms and other marching band essentials.
For competition day schedules (estimates), check out this Google Sheet that Mrs. Abbott updates regularly. As always, the most accurate timeline will be in the weekly emails she sends.
Remember that concessions at the football games are cashless!
Best Color Guard, Maryland 4A in 2026
2026 Fall Schedule
2026 Fall Schedule
August 3 - 14
September 18
September 25
September 26
October 3
October 14
October 16
October 17
October 23
October 24
October 24
October 31
November 7
November 17
Band Camp
Football Game vs. Severna Park
Football Game vs. Meade
Competition at Guilford Park
Cardinal Classic "the Home Show"
AACPS Marching Band Exhibition
Football Game vs. Severn Run
Homecoming Parade
Football Game vs. Arundel
Crofton Halloween Parade
Regionals at Linganore
Competition at Arundel
States at Towson University
TENTATIVE End of Season Banquet
Uniform Washing How-To
Uniform Washing How-To
The uniform pieces should be washed together in one load: jacket, pants and gloves. DO NOT WASH THE GAUNTLETS.
Wash uniform on permanent press cycle using COLD water for wash and rinse.
Laundry additives such as Oxyclean can be used.
DO NOT use fabric softener
The pants and gloves may be dried in a dryer.
HANG DRY the jacket.
Rehang the jacket and pants in the uniform bag and return to school along with the gauntlets and gloves.
Missing uniform pieces will incur a replacement fee:
Gloves: $10
Gauntlets: $30
If taking home the uniform to wash during the season, be sure to return your uniform on the date given by the band director. At the end of the season, return uniforms prior to the Thanksgiving Break.
Questions? Contact the CCMB director Mrs. Amber Abbott at aabbott@aacps.org or the Crofton High Music Boosters at croftonhighmusic@gmail.com.
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