Band Marches On, Despite Hurricane Delays

Each year the Hillsborough High School Raider Marching Band spends five long days at camp in Lake Greeley, Pennsylvania, perfecting the drill for its upcoming season. Last year this dedication paid off when they won not only the Group V Open New Jersey State Championships but the Northern State Championships as well.

Their 2011 show entitled “The Glory of Light” is a particularly challenging show, which incorporates music from "Illuminations," the fireworks show at Epcot. Hurricane Irene meant that camp for the 120 Marching Band members started two days late which was a big blow to their practice schedule. However, the band and guard members have been working especially hard to make up the lost time and performed their full show beautifully at last week’s home football game against Franklin. Elements of light are incorporated into the show through the colorguard’s uniforms and flags. There is even a real lamp post on the field during the show which forms a focal point for many of the band's complex formations.

In addition to performing at home and away football games, the Raider Marching Band will be starting their competition schedule this Saturday, September 24th at Roxbury High School. This schedule includes performances at South Brunswick High School, Giants Stadium and Towson University. Their final competition will be at Old Bridge for the USSBA State Championships.  In addition, the Hillsborough Band Parents Association will be hosting the Eighteenth Annual Raider Marching Band Festival on Saturday, October 29th, where the band will perform in exhibition. For more information visit www.hhs-band.org.

Submitted by June Blauvelt, Hillsborough Band Parents Association President.