Christmas is arriving a little early at Bob Reade Field this fall.
The Geneseo High School marching band is trading the traditional sounds and sights of marching season for something a little more festive with its 2026 field show, “Tis the Season.”
The show, from Synced Up Designs, features Christmas themes arranged by Pentatonix along with the classical piece “Fanfare for Christmas” by John Wasson. Other familiar Christmas songs are woven into the production, although Band Director John Versluis isn't giving away all of the surprises just yet.
“You can also catch other known Christmas songs but wouldn’t want to spoil all the surprises,” he said.
For Versluis, choosing Christmas as this year's theme was an easy idea to embrace.
“Christmas is my favorite holiday and time of the year,” he said. “Music during the Christmas season is usually uplifting and positive.”
After listening to recordings of the show and considering the band's instrumentation, Versluis decided this was the year to bring Christmas to the football field.
“There are not too many high school programs that put Christmas-themed shows on the field, so I knew this would be something different for our students and audiences,” he said.
And Yes, There Is a Grinch
Anyone who has already seen the band this season may have noticed an unusual character roaming the sidelines.
The Grinch has made an appearance.
But despite what audiences might assume, he's not technically part of the show.
“To be honest, he is not part of the show so to speak, but one of our many hard-working parents who help get the band on and off the field,” Versluis said.
And the Grinch isn't alone.
Other parent volunteers have appeared in elf attire and other Christmas-themed clothing as they help the band behind the scenes.
“Our parent helpers have fully embraced this show and are pulling out all the stops to make this an amazing experience for the kids,” Versluis said.
The Christmas theme is also expected to extend beyond the performance itself.
The band is planning to begin a toy drive in partnership with the Geneseo Police Department to help provide Christmas gifts for children in the area.
And there may be more surprises ahead.
“One thing for sure to know is that you never know what we will surprise you with — or who we might surprise you with — at a Friday night football game,” Versluis said.
A Fall Show That Begins in the Spring
What audiences see during a Friday night halftime performance represents months of work.
The process of selecting the next marching show begins almost immediately after the previous season ends. Music is typically distributed before students leave school for summer.
Then the work begins.
The first Thursday after school lets out, students begin rehearsing the show's music. They continue meeting for two to three hours on most Thursdays throughout the summer.
In June, the band holds its weeklong Basics Camp, when students work on fundamental marching skills, learn the show's music and prepare for the Father's Day Music Festival Parade.
For some sections, preparations begin even earlier.
The drum line and front ensemble, or pit percussion, begin working shortly after spring break. The color guard also starts preparations in the spring.
Both groups then attend a weeklong July camp, practicing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day to learn music and choreography.
The band's largest summer commitment comes at the end of July with “3-A-Days.”
During the weeklong camp, students rehearse from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. as they learn the drill that transforms the music into a complete field production.
Once school begins, the schedule doesn't slow down much.
Band members rehearse during a 45-minute class period every school day and return for an additional three-hour rehearsal from 6 to 9 p.m. each Thursday.
All of that preparation eventually comes together under the Friday night lights.
Taking Christmas on the Road
The show will continue to develop throughout the fall as the band moves into its competition season.
Geneseo's first listed competition is close to home.
On Sept. 26, the band will perform at the 36th Annual Maple Leaf Classic at Bob Reade Field.
The following weekend brings a much larger regional stage.
On Oct. 3, Geneseo will travel to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls for the Bands of America Iowa Regional. High school bands from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado and South Dakota are expected to compete.
Then comes a particularly busy Saturday.
On Oct. 10, Geneseo is scheduled to compete twice in one day, first at the Comet Classic at West Liberty High School in West Liberty, Iowa, followed by the Muskie Invitational at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa.
The band's listed competition season concludes Oct. 17 at the Western Illinois Marching Band Invitational at Western Illinois University in Macomb.
Through the rehearsals, competitions, Friday night performances — and perhaps a Grinch sighting or two — Versluis said the goal behind the production is ultimately simple.
“We hope the audience enjoys our show and can share in the magical journey of Christmas with us, spreading a little joy and happiness during this time of year.”
For Geneseo audiences, that means there is no need to wait until December.
This year, Christmas starts under the Friday night lights.
