Brighton, Alta and Hillcrest high school marching bands performed together for the first time at the inaugural Canyons School District Marching Band Showcase, first reported by the Draper Journal.

The event, hosted at Brighton High School, gave families a chance to see competition-level shows without driving hours to distant venues. The University of Utah marching band also appeared, highlighting several Canyons graduates in its ranks.

Brighton marching band director Russell Graff said the idea was straightforward.

"One of the weird quirks with marching band is we have competitions, but they're always away from our schools," Graff told the Draper Journal. "The competitions tend to be at five or six schools across the state, and it's hard for people to come and see their kids and their friends."

Instead of asking supporters to make another long drive, the three Canyons bands brought their shows home.

Hillcrest opened the evening with "Chiaroscuro," a production featuring music by Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell and Danny Elfman, among others. Director Caryl Klemann led the band, with drum major Cheyanne Spring at the front of the ensemble.

Alta's 100-plus member band followed with "Piece by Piece," directed by Caleb Shabestari and Madilyn Lu. The production drew on music by Erik Satie and Bjork. Alta's marching program was restarted in 2013 after a 25-year absence with just 40 students and won a state championship one year later, according to the Draper Journal. In 2017, the band marched in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

Brighton's 73-member ensemble closed with "Paracosm," a fantasy-themed show featuring music by Tchaikovsky and Owl City. Graff said the staff initially considered an "Alice in Wonderland" concept before expanding it into a broader imaginary world, with uniforms and props built around the theme.

The showcase also served as a rehearsal under competition conditions. All three Canyons bands travel to competitions across Utah each fall, and the season wraps up in St. George in November.

One Brighton student, a junior who has marched three years, told Graff the showcase was the favorite thing the band had done outside of traveling to St. George, according to the Draper Journal.

Upcoming marching band events: