The Allen County-Scottsville High School Marching Patriots will take their new production into competition for the first time Saturday, September 12, at the Franklin-Simpson Marching Contest.
AC-SH is scheduled to perform at 7:15 p.m. at Franklin-Simpson High School. The Patriots will compete in Class 4A alongside Calloway County, Barren County and Logan County.
The contest will be the first competitive test for the Marching Patriots’ 2026 production, “This or That.” The show is built around contrast, choice and opposing ideas.
“It’s based on the idea of yin and yang,” Allen County Director of Bands Tyler Cook explained. “We do a lot of play on classical music versus popular music. It’s more of an idea—is it this or is it that?”
The concept is reflected throughout the music, visual design, uniforms and field presentation. Black and red provide contrasting colors, while the production incorporates differing styles in its props and costuming.
“The music jumps back and forth, and the visuals will do similar things,” Cook noted. “It’s a really playful show, and the kids have really latched on to it. They love it.”
The 2026 Marching Patriots include 62 performers—52 wind and percussion musicians and 10 color guard members. Senior Parker Morgan serves as field commander. Cook is joined by assistant band director Melanie Vallone and a staff of instructors working with the band’s percussion, brass, woodwind and color guard sections.
Work on “This or That” began in February. The finished production is expected to run approximately eight minutes, with additional musical and visual elements being added as the season progresses.
AC-SH enters the season following the most successful year in program history. The Patriots advanced to the final round of the Kentucky Music Educators Association State Marching Band Championships for the first time last fall and placed sixth in Class 3A.
The band moves into Class 4A this season because of school enrollment. Although this year’s group is younger, Cook believes the returning members have helped carry over the work ethic established during the historic 2025 season.
Saturday’s program begins with senior recognition at 3:30 p.m., followed by the national anthem at 4 p.m. Lyon County will open the competition at 4:15.
Calloway County begins the Class 4A performances at 6:45 p.m., followed by Barren County at 7, AC-SH at 7:15 and Logan County at 7:30. Greenwood and South Warren will compete in Class 5A before host Franklin-Simpson performs in exhibition at 8:15. Awards are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. The full contest schedule is available through KYBand.com.