It must have been Scooby Doo.
McLean High School’s Marching Highlander Band had just taken the field at Herndon High School to compete in the Showcase of Bands on Sept. 21 when gray skies that had threatened all day suddenly began to rain.
Water from raindrops began to bead up on xylophones, tympani, and an electric guitar, not to mention crisp plaid uniforms.
But as Olivia Abtahi began to play the xylophone just above the stuffed Scooby’s head, the rain stopped. It held off until the show was completed, and then resumed.
Scooby Doo, the “good luck dog” for the percussion section, had remained dry underneath Olivia’s instrument, and the Marching Highlanders placed second in their category, Class AAAA.
First place went to Chantilly High School and Salem High placed third.
The Highlander band performed “Voyage of the Stardancer” by David Arkenstone.
Although the wet grass caused some problems for members of the guard as they twirled flags, sabers and rifles, the audience at Herndon High applauded with enthusiasm.
The band will perform the show again in three more competitions.
Their annual fruit sale and tag day collection help fund their appearances.
“They really like this show. The drill is more complicated than it’s ever been before,” said Carol Pappas, whose son Alex plays saxophone in the band.
The band next competes in the United States Scholastic Band Association regional contest in Allentown, Pa., on Oct. 12.
The Highlanders will also perform in the Bands of America regional competition at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, N.Y., on Saturday, Oct. 19, and at a final USSBA competition in Norfolk on Nov. 2.
They will perform at the Scottish Walk parade in Alexandria on Dec. 7.
The band is directed by James Kirchenbauer. Drum majors are Katie Vodra, who also performed an oboe solo in the woodwind trio, and Matthew Bradshaw.
The band will perform the same show at McLean’s homecoming game at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, and at home games at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 25.
The band has 92 winds, 16 percussion, and 15 members of the guard.