LONDONDERRY - Winter Concert-goers had an unusual guest greeting them at the entrance of Londonderry High School's gymnasium last week.
Max, the official team mascot of the Manchester Monarchs, mingled with people in the lobby, then entered the gym to the rousing tune, "Eye of the Tiger," played by the Lancers Marching Band and members of the school's jazz band.
"He was a real hit," music director Andy Soucy said. "He can't talk, so Serge (Beaulieu, assistant music director) downloaded a lion roar on his iPod and played it over the speakers.
Max was then asked if he would conduct the band for the LHS "Fight Song."
"He did a great job," Soucy said.
Max joined the Winter Concert as a promotion for the Lancers' upcoming on-ice performance at a Monarchs hockey game on Feb. 3 at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester.
The 320 members of the Marching Lancers have been performing annually on ice for the Monarchs since 2003.
All the ice-walking practice paid off, too.
While in California last year for the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Lancers made National Hockey League history by being the first marching band ever to perform on ice for the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, when they hosted the Philadelphia Flyers.
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