Sean Ferguson
Photo Credits: @somervillebands on Instagram
Just before spring break on April 8, the marching band show for the 2025-2026 season was announced! This past year, our very own SHS Marching Band captivated audiences with their show Lucky. They took home many awards including the Tour of Bands Regional Championship and taking 3rd place in the State Championship during the fall.
The show for this season is called Matador. I was able to chat with Mr. Ferguson, the music director, about the show. The music transpires from different forms of Latin music and essentially represents the thematics of the show. Matador is a reference to the performer who kills the bull during a bullfight which is not only popularized in Spain alone but also in the Americas.
Mr. Ferguson, better known to students as Ferg, has been writing the marching band shows for the last few years. The show begins with a flamenco opener, the ballad which occurs in the middle of the show takes on an Argentinian tango, and the show ends with a Latin-jazz inspired piece derived from a classical guitar suite written in the mid twentieth century.
He described Matador as “eclectic” and “all encompassing” of the true nature of bullfighting extending beyond Spain. It will definitely be a show no one will want to miss!
I also asked Mr. Ferguson what the goals for the upcoming season were. He is hoping to lay into the “cultural influence” to the demographic of all SHS band students. This is a multifaceted goal and not pertaining to a specific demographic. He is more looking for what students respond to and having the music in Matador impact them.
He further explained what each portion of the show means to Somerville. The flamenco opener is going to be new and unique for many students. This sense of uniqueness will help students discover a new identity since high school is a time for growth and experience. Mr. Ferguson wants students to “morph their musical tastes into something that is more expansive.” Additionally, the Latin-jazz ending is a nod to our SHS Big Band, Villeharmonic and Jazz Comb, the three jazz ensembles in our school. The close is going to be meaningful to SHS’ strong jazz program.
His last goal is to “Be the band that is the most unique and probably the one that everyone wants to be a part of.” Last year’s show, Lucky, surpassed that goal as there was a lot of positive feedback and praise from parents, staff, and students and teachers from other schools! He says that “we [Marching Band] made a name for ourselves, known for being not only competitive but entertaining as well.”
There are a lot of big things coming for the Somerville High School Marching Band this season! Be sure to check out their Preview Night on August 21 and follow @somervillebands on Instagram!