The Roselle Park High School Panthers Marching Band had a great 2015 season. Consisting of Roselle Park freshman through seniors who attend RPHS and UCVTS (Union County Vocational Technical Schools), the band performed throughout the season at competitions against other high school bands where each band highlighted their unique shows. These competitions are an amazing spectacle of sight and sound are always friendly; the bands support each other, building friendships and rivalries, between schools.
The final competition was the Atlantic Coast Championships held at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Over the first two weekends in November, hundreds of bands from all over the northeast came out and showed their stuff. The RPHS band made a weekend of it enjoying a well-deserved day of fun at Hershey Park and then, competed on the second day. It was a fun and safe weekend for the entire band due, in part, to all of the parents who joined the students at the park and hotel, helping as chaperones. At that Sunday’s competition, the band did an outstanding performance. The Atlantic Coast Championship score was a very respectable 84.9. Competition was tough with many of the bands being within tenths of a point of each other. The cheers from the stands made it all worthwhile.
Every February, the staff begins creating a show, writing the music and developing ideas for theme and choreography. This year’s show, “Things That Go Bump In The Night”, was lots of fun to create and perform. Band members explored the darker side of classical music featuring the works of composers such as Bach, Stravinsky, and Gounod among others. Rehearsals began during the spring with sectional practice of drumline, winds, and color guard. The dedicated band members rehearse throughout the summer, beginning right after 4th of July in an effort to complete the show by “Band Camp”, a week-long rehearsal that went from morning till evening. The goal was to have the half time show ready for the first RPHS home football game.
All this time together created a band “family” where upper classmen work together helping newer members learning skills and techniques. The friendships made in marching band carry throughout the school year with members supporting each other through all aspects of high school life.
The band’s primary function is to entertain the fans at half time. Just as important, the band performs in the stands during the game to fire up the fans and our football players on the field.
This is the RPHS “Spirit Band”, they are often joined by middle school and non marching players who, for various reasons, cannot participate in the field performance.
After football season, the band turns to being a parade band, representing Roselle Park in the annual Union County St Patrick’s Day Parade as well as our hometown Memorial Day Parade and Services.
Performers, as well as Roselle Park residents, look forward to an even more exciting 2016 RPHS Band season.
Photograph courtesy and property of Rosa Espinoza.