Serra Show Embraces Samurai Legend

‘Bushido’ brings Japanese sounds, styles to band’s 2025 performances

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
September 22, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Musicians and color guard gathered in show attire before their first competition. (Photo courtesy Serra Catholic High School)

For its 2025 competition show, the Serra Catholic High School Marching Band is looking to the Far Fast and into the past, with music and costuming inspired by Japanese culture and the world of the samurai.

“Bushido: The Way of the Warrior” tells a story of a girl who wants to become a samurai, band director Jesse Bush said. The band performed it for the first time in competition at Penn-Trafford on Sept. 6, and again Sept. 13 at East Allegheny, where Serra placed first of three schools in Group 1-A.

The band is next scheduled to compete Oct. 4 at Jeannette and Oct. 11 at McKeesport.

“The 2025 band camp was absolutely successful,” Bush said, noting it was during some of the hottest days of the summer. “We’re off to a nice start. I’m excited to see and hear where this show goes.

Student leaders, from left, are color guard co-captain Amy Dodds, assistant drum major Sullivan Muzy, drum major Lyndsay Chirdon, assistant drum major Erin Genton, and color guard co-captain Catie Erfort. (Photo courtesy Serra Catholic High School)

Senior drum major Lyndsay Chirdon, who has been in band for five years, is featured as the aspiring samurai.

“I was super excited when the show's theme was announced,” she said. “Me and a few other members always try to figure out what the theme is based off the hints Mr. Bush gives, so it was very fun to finally know.

“I couldn't wait to see what the show would become, since each year has its own special moment,” the drum major said. “Now that we've experienced most of the show, I love how much character we are able to put into it.”

Samurai originated from provincial warriors in 10th century Japan who served the imperial court. Over time, they became powerful military clans with a large influence in government and society.

The samurai followed a strict code — the Bushido, meaning way of the warrior — that emphasized honor, loyalty, courage, and self-control, among other things.

“I was very thankful when I found out that I got to play the character,” Chirdon said. “Some of the music is fairly easy for me to play, but it was still a lot to learn. However, I had to learn a little bit of improv, which definitely came with a learning curve.

“The most important thing for me to do is approach the show with a creative, open mind,” she said. “I love to bounce ideas off of everyone, especially Mr. Bush and Susan (color guard director Susan Frank). Normally we meet somewhere in the middle to find the perfect thing for our show.”

The band director said the music is by well-known composer Randall Standridge, who has worked with Serra Catholic in prior years, and Bush himself wrote the drill.

Chirdon said her favorite parts are the opening when everyone first plays, and the second song.

“I love the first time everyone plays because it is our big moment in the first song,” she said. “We turn around then march half time, so it is a big impact moment. I also love the second song because it is a completely different style.” She plays piccolo in marching band.

In addition to Chirdon, 2025 student leaders are assistant drum majors Erin Genton and Sullivan Muzy, and color guard co-captains Amy Dodds and Catie Erfort.

Looking forward to a successful season, Serra Catholic band musicians and color guard members will compete “Bushido: The Way of the Warrior.” (Photo courtesy Serra Catholic High School)

“All of our student leaders this season are fantastic,” Bush said. They are hard workers and excellent role models for the other students.”

“I’m a junior, and this is my fourth year in marching band,” Genton said. “When we first found out what the show was, I was really excited and curious to see where the storyline would take us.

“Now that I have experienced the music and drill, I can easily say I’m even more excited than when I first found out,” Genton said. “The music is a lot of fun to play and we have a really cool drill. I think it is going to be a fantastic season and I’m eager to see how we do in the many competitions ahead.”

Dodds is a junior who has been in band and guard for two years. “When the theme ‘Bushido’ was announced, I thought it was very exciting to show the art of Japanese culture. I have always wanted to travel there and love the music there,” she said.

“The style and colors of the show are absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t ask for more,” Dodds said. “Mr. Bush and Mrs. Susan always know how to put on a good show that is very fun not only for us, but all of the people watching.”

Dodds called the color guard director’s teaching style “phenonemal. She is very patient and always reassures the girls and I that we don’t have to be perfect. Elegance and power are what this theme is aimed for, as Mrs. Susan wants us to have confidence but also to have soft and emotional themes in our dances and flag work.

“The dynamics in different flag or dance moves and emotions is what makes this show so special,” Dodds explained. “Kimono robes are what we are wearing, which shows classic Japanese culture that is very genuine. It shows modesty with a mature and effortless look.”

Dodds said she can’t really pick a favorite part of “Bushido” because “all parts of the show are exciting for guard and band. All guard features are my favorite, as I am happy to perform no matter what.”

Bush said the show includes a variety of Japanese backdrops “and maybe a few surprises.”

Color guard co-captain Catie Erfort said her initial reaction when she heard about “Bushido: The Way of the Warrior,” was, “how were we going to pull this off with such a small band, but now that we are almost done with the music and drill, I think it will turn out to be a really cool show.”

This is her fifth year in marching band, and she said color guard is representing Japanese culture by wearing silk robes with cherry blossoms on them and using bamboo sticks a part of their work.

“My favorite part of this year's show is the beginning dance," Erfort said, "because I feel that it is important to have a strong opener for a routine.”

Assistant drum major Sullivan Muzy, in his third year in marching band as a sophomore, shared how he felt when the theme was revealed.

“I remember being excited, both for the music and the fact that I guessed it right,” he said. “Now that we’ve started playing and marching the show, I’m extremely optimistic about our season.”

He said he tries to support drum major Chirdon by “taking charge in the pit and keeping them as quiet as possible while we are playing our music.”

Muzy said he also likes the first song in the show.

“The first part is very serious and sets up the tone of the show, but the second half of the song switches it up a bit, and you get to see our band be more playful in their playing and marching,” he said. “I especially enjoy my drum part, because it’s probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever played.”

As far as the storyline goes, Muzy said Chirdon portrays the main character, Blossom, who wants to be a samurai despite the fact that only males are allowed to be samurai in her village. He said another character is Xavier, the leader of a rival order.

“My favorite part of this show is our group this year,” Muzy said. “Everyone is so passionate about this music and we’ve all had such a great attitude toward our experience as a whole.”

The Serra music educators feel very lucky to have a group of students who are willing to try anything, Frank said.

“I’m also thankful for all of the new non-high school students who have decided to join,” she said. “Their enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air and I am excited for them all to be here.”

That is not meant to take away anything from the hard work and talent of the returning students, Frank added.

“We will try different elements throughout the season with all students as we progress with the show,” she said.

Other band staff members are alum Vincent Brown, Serra English teacher Aiden Brooks, and Brianna Schmidt.

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

Originally published September 22, 2025.

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