The Kiski Area High School Marching band has a long history and “Tradition of Excellence”.  Although it’s style and direction over the years have changed, the level of great performance, commitment to its members, and valued integrity have not.  The Marching Band started under the direction of Mr. Alex Costanza in 1964.  Mr. C. was the amazing founder of the Kiski Music Department as a whole and his great teachings and direction are what started it all.  He quickly developed the program into a well-oiled machine of high level musicianship, putting out multiple shows a season and entertaining crowds all over.  Over the years the band was led by many great individuals including: Mr. Bob Wills, Mr. Joe Buncie, Mr. Carmen Botti, and eventually Mr. Scott Koter.  Koter took the program to new heights in the competitive marching world.  Within 4 years of his leadership, the Kiski Area Marching Band won their 1st Bands of America Regional Championship. In 1991 they won their 1st of two Grand National Class Championships.  The band continued its great success with the new leadership of George Wozniak in 1993.  In 2005, the leadership shifted to its current director, Mr. Shawn Pityk.

Over the years the band has accumulated many accolades and awards.  Most notable are the achievements and successes from competing in Bands of America national circuit.  The Kiski Area Marching Band has the longest Bands of America Class Champion winning streak, which is still running…..27 consecutive class wins!  The band is also a 13-time Bands of America Regional Champion, an 8-time Bands of America Grand National Finalist, and, as stated before, and a 2-time Grand National Class Championship winner.  In addition, the band has won 10 PIMBA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association) Championships. 

Although the band has achieved great successes in these performance venues, it does not compare to the overwhelming effect and influence that the marching band has on its members.  The program teaches invaluable life lessons, many that help its members learn a lot about pushing themselves more than they thought they could, many that teach the importance teamwork, and many that stress the importance of working hard to achieve your goals.   In the end, the mission of the Kiski Area Marching Band is to preserve and promote these values and morals in all its members, and the great successes that are achieved are a direct result of such practices. 

Recently, the Kiski Band Alumni Association has been revived to aid in continuing the “Tradition of Excellence”.

A Brief History of the Marching Band