(COVINGTON, La.) The Marching Wolves of St. Paul’s School are bringing new music and new entertainment to halftime shows and parades this year. In addition to the new tunes that the band brings year after year, the students themselves are taking a bigger leadership role, reminiscent of the old way that the band was run.

“We’re trying to set the guidelines to where the student leaders can take charge more,” said Assistant Band Director Jimmy Brinkman. “That’s the way it used to be, and we’re trying to go back to it.”

When asked about the idea of enhanced student leadership, Brinkman stated that it was a great idea to help the students communicate with the directors more efficiently.

“It’s not a change in command,” Brinkman said, “It’s mostly for more structure for the student leaders.”

The structure of the leadership team includes the senior drum major, junior drum major, field captains, and section leaders.

The students themselves are excited for their new leadership roles, including trombone section leader Casey Fitzmaurice, who said, “(The leadership team has) been meeting Wednesdays throughout the summer for several hours at a time, planning all of the specifics for this year, bringing new things into the system. It’s going to be a very exciting year for us.”

Some of the new songs and shows this year include shows with music and dance from Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars. During the Timberlake show, the band plans to reintroduce the Super Six, a group of six of the best dancers from the band, and to play hits spanning Timberlake’s entire career.

“I’m glad to see the Super Six returning, and I think the music will be fun to play and even more fun for the crowd to listen to,” Fitzmaurice said.

A longtime crowd favorite since the 1970s, the Super Six was absent from the lineup last year.

Some tunes that the Marching Wolves will play in the stands or on the route come parade season include “Best Day Of My Life” by American Authors and “Turn Down For What” by Lil John. To pump up the football team before games, the band will play a  rendition of “All of the Lights” by Kanye West.