While the first day of anything - a new job, new school, new band - can be nerve racking, Allison Kline, M. Ed., the new high school marching band director, feels right at home.

“We’re happy she’s here,” said James Lykins, M.Ed., assistant marching band director and middle school band director. “Northwestern Lehigh High School hasn’t had a high school band director in six years.”

Kline comes from the Mahanoy Area School District with about nine years of experience in band, choral and music direction.

She had no problem mixing with the Northwestern Lehigh band members and helping them through the steps.

She will receive plenty of help from veterans such as Lykins, who has been splitting his musical time between the middle and high schools.

Jess Eberle, senior drum major, and Jenna Frye, junior drum major, will be helping Kline put band members through their paces.

The 54 students in band this year had their first practice on Aug. 12, with band camp running for two weeks.

Marching band members are issued music before the start of the summer so they can practice before camp.

The band’s August practices primarily help to get the marching formation and the individual steps down.

Then, the band refines the music in the band room.

Before their first performance, band members mesh the music and the moves.

This year, the marching band will be performing pieces from pop artist Michael Jackson.

Currently, the band cannot practice on the high school football field so they practice on the parking lot.

The football field and stadium project includes installation of a turf field and an artificial track surface.

New bleachers will also be installed on the visitors’ side of the stadium.

Once school starts, practices will be 3-5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through the end of September.

The band’s first home performance, a home football game, is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Aug. 29.