The local football field will come alive with the sounds of the high school marching band in the coming weeks with this year’s halftime show offering a distinct Latin flavor.

Drum major Alex Osborn, drum captain Logan Cain and guard captain Mercedes Chavez said they are excited for this year’s marching band show, as are their 82 band mates.

“We just lost our huge senior class but, surprisingly, we were able to keep our band pretty much the same size this year thanks to a large group of incoming freshmen,” Osborn said.

And, according to Cain, those newcomers are coming along nicely.

“I think the difference between this year and last year is that, while almost a third of our band is made of freshmen this year, we have a lot of passion and a lot of people who are really excited about what we’re doing,” Cain added.

“That’s really making a difference this year. The energy level is really high.”

The name of this year’s show is Viva la vida Latina and, according to Osborn, offers a distinct modern Latin vibe.

“We talked about a few different things, including Latin, punk or space, and Latin just seemed like the best option,” said Cain.

“It offers the biggest variety and it’s different than a lot of the shows we’ve done in the past. We’ve done a lot of rock-based shows before and a Latin show sounded like it would be interesting.”

This year’s show consists of four main songs, which the band plans to unveil as a full program during Oct. 4 homecoming game against Payson. Songs include “Children of Sanchez,” “Americano,” “La Vida Loca,” and a hybrid “Calle Ocho” and “On the Floor.”

Along with the musicians marching around the field, the 2013 guard crew will be offering plenty of entertainment as they dance, spin and twirl their way through the four numbers. Chavez said guard is also experiencing an influx of new members with only three members being returners from last season.

“It’s really fun this year, with a lot of sassy show moves,” Chavez said.

“We’re using a lot of fun props, too. And the freshmen are really progressing and coming along.”

Osborn said that type of positive progression has been coming along quickly on the band side, too.

“Overall, for the experience of our band members, things have gone really smooth,” he added.

“Everything has been coming along surprisingly quickly.”

Cain said that this year’s program aims to be snappy and interesting, as well as less complex to help ease in the new members.

“We’re finding ways to make the show look really cool and give a good general effect without being too overly complicated,” he said.

Chavez said her favorite part of this year’s program is the final number, “Calle Ocho,” because it’s full of pop and fun moves for the guard to perform.

“And that’s where we get to have the band dance,” Chavez added.

“So, obviously, that’s my favorite part.”

Cain said he enjoys the final number, too, because it’s a good mixture of all of the generations of Latin.

“It’s also just an excellent arrangement,” he added.

“It takes modern pieces and makes them sound very old school Latin, which is cool. It also gives the drum line a chance to show their stuff.”

Osborn, on the other hand, said he’s most excited for “La Vida Loca.”

“The thing that makes that song interesting is that it’s both on the beat and off the beat, and it switches throughout the song. It’s something different to hear.”

Cain agreed.

“A Latin show gives you the chance to offer a lot of unique sounds you don’t typically get in marching band performances,” he said.

“Latin is a totally different style with a lot of syncopation. Drum line also gets a lot of toys to play with, like jam blocks, cowbells and little cymbals. There’s a lot going on.”

For fans looking to take their support on the road, the band’s first competition of the season will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Basha Invitational. The competition is hosted out of Basha High School in Gilbert, and the Falcons are expected to take the field at 6:30 p.m.

Locally, though, the big show is just around the corner, ready to entertain fans during halftime at homecoming.

“For our size school, we have an extremely big band,” Osborn said.

“For our size school, we should only have like 30 people. It’s almost miraculous that we’re as big as we are.”

And with that big band comes a big sound, Cain said. One that will mark the starting point of a brand new generation for the FHHS marching band.

“This year is kind of square one for our band,” he said.

“We have so many new people this year, and it’s such a young band full of freshmen and sophomores. It’s a transition year, so this is a good time to come out and see a fresh start.”

“We’re all just really passionate about what we do,” Chavez added.

“I think that really reads for the crowd, too. When they see us playing this excited, they get pumped, too.”