LEWISTOWN — It isn’t easy to replace a legend like “Mr. Marching Band” Art Belfiore at Mifflin County High School, director for the decorated Marching Huskies.

Brandon Kahley wouldn’t dream of doing that nor would he even try. The 25-year-old Penn State graduate has spent the past three years trying to resurrect the Bucktail Area High School marching band. Kahley served as the band director and music teacher at Bucktail middle and high school schools since the fall of 2022.

Now, he’s been hired by the Mifflin County School District to continue the run of success that the Marching Huskies have experienced under Belfiore.

“I know they are a widely-renowned program that Art really helped to forge,” Kahley said. “I’ve tried to watch as many videos of them as I can, so I can push them in the same direction.

“I’m looking to keep it moving in the same direction,” Kahley added. “I don’t see any reason to change much. Of course, I have my own ideas, but in the grand scheme of things we both teach music.”

Kahley is off to a grand start, welcoming 65 to 75 students for summer practices in the band room. Much like the Huskies’ athletic teams with their offseason workouts, Kahley and the students have spent extra time rehearsing over the summer months to prepare for band camp in August.

“Since our stadium and parking lot (where they practice) are both under construction, we’ve been working inside,” Kahley explained. “We have a lot of rookies, so we have been working on a lot of the basics inside. We have plenty of space in the band room.”

The extra rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Tuesday, the band works on marching and on Wednesday, they focus on music. “It’s just a long preparation to bring the band together at band camp,” Kahley said.

And for the musicians to get used to his directorial style as well.

“I could not be more excited for the opportunity to play on a fresh field,” Kahley said. “Not too many people get to play on a fresh field. It’s the same for the football team.

“That entire first night of the stadium is going to be special,” Kahley added. “It will be for the staff and students at Mifflin County as well.”

The Marching Huskies’ debut will come on Friday, Aug. 22, at the historic first home football game against Central Mountain at Kish Bank Field at Donald M. Chapman III Stadium.

While at Penn State, Kahley was a member of the elite Blue Band. He was part of the Blue Band since his freshman year and played the mellophone, the marching version of the French horn.

Kahley said the Blue Band has been an amazing experience for him.

“It has given me many opportunities to grow as a person, musician and a teacher,” Kahley said.

While still in college, he spent time student teaching at Huntingdon Area High School, assisting with concert band rehearsals as well as teaching some beginner music courses.

Kahley had not initially imagined that his life would lead to a career in music. He had planned on entering the military to be a marine, but he felt called in a different direction.

Unsure of what career path to pursue, he reflected on what he enjoyed the most and realized that music was always a constant in his life.

“I really learned so much, not just about music, but about life from all of the different musicians that I’ve learned under,” said Kahley. “I would feel bad if I didn’t decide to pass on all that I was taught and all that I learned from those great teachers and great musicians.”

Well-versed in playing the piano and French horn, among other instruments, Kahley has a deep appreciation for music and its ability to enrich lives. He believes that music education acts as a means through which he can share his love of music along with his expertise.

“As I looked back on my life, I thought that it would not be fair to sit on all this information I have been taught,” he said. “I felt like it was my job to pass on what I have learned musically.

“Education allows me to share music the best way that I think I can,” he added.

At Mifflin County, the Altoona native will serve as the director of bands, overseeing the marching and concert bands.

Although Kahley is certainly happy in his new surroundings, it was a difficult decision to leave Bucktail.

In three years at Bucktail, Kahley had more than tripled the size of the marching band and had the band prepared to compete on a competitive stage. In the fall of 2022 when he started, the band consisted of only eight members. It continues to grow and flourish.

Much like the bands that Belfiore had been directing for decades since he came to Lewistown Area High School in 1991.

“It was a hard decision, but I saw the opening and I put my hat in the ring,” Kahley said. “It’s a prestigious program and it’s going to thrive.

“I think I have what it takes to move into the position,” Kahley added. “And I can take a program from where it is and push it even farther.”

Kahley said he felt welcomed from the get-go by band members, boosters and family and friends. “After I was offered the job, I sat down with members of the staff and booster program.

“Minutes after I was offered the job, people were introducing themselves,” he added. “The support is everywhere; it’s wonderful to hear and see.”

Kahley has definitely started on a good note.