Morgantown and University High Bands Unite for Mohawk Bowl Show

MORGANTOWN – On the evening of October 27, 2025, the Mohawk Bowl will showcase not only a fierce football rivalry between Morgantown and University High School, but also a unique musical collaboration during halftime. Fans attending the match at Baker’s Ridge should remain in their seats to witness a special performance featuring the marching bands from both schools.

Each band comprises over 100 members, culminating in a combined ensemble of more than 250 musicians. This joint performance is a rare opportunity for the schools to celebrate their community spirit, transcending their competitive rivalry.

Mark Palmer, the band director at University High since 2000, noted, “We’ve done this maybe four times since I’ve been band director here. It’s a great opportunity for us to show the other side of the Mohawk rivalry and see how the two schools work together to create our wonderful community in Morgantown.”

Morgantown’s band director, Lorne Hyskell, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the important role that music plays in the athletic experience. “These are two really great bands from our state coming together to showcase what we have here in Mon County,” he said. “While we’ve got two great football teams out there on the field playing hard to win the game, we also have two really great bands that are going to join together and try to do the best we can to entertain the crowd a bit.”

Preparation for the Halftime Show

In preparation for the halftime extravaganza, the two bands held a joint practice session at University High School earlier this week. The performance is set to feature a medley of songs with a Halloween theme, including a notable rendition of “Thriller”, which will serve as the grand finale.

The surprise element of the performance promises to engage the audience, as Hyskell described, “And then we have a bit of a surprise picture with that at the end for the audience. We want to go out and do the best we can and sound the best we can while we are out there.”

The halftime show not only highlights the musical talent of both schools but also reinforces community ties and school spirit. As the football teams compete for victory, the bands will unite in a display of harmony, showcasing the power of collaboration in the heart of Morgantown.

With excitement building for the evening’s events, the Mohawk Bowl is poised to be a memorable occasion, uniting sports and music in a celebration of local talent and community pride.