The students of Hopewell Valley Central High School’s Marching Black and Gold practice their 2015 show, “Heroes and Villains,” on the band’s practice field. The marching band is preparing to host its first-ever USBands competition on October 17, 2015 starting at 3:30 p.m. at the high school.
The Marching Black and Gold, Hopewell Valley Central High School’s award-winning marching band, is preparing to host its first-ever USBands competition on October 17, 2015 at the high school. Including the Marching Black and Gold, twelve bands will participate in the competition, titled “Music in Motion” to be held from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ackerson Field.
The lineup for the competition includes high school bands from the smallest to the largest band classes. In addition to Hopewell, high school marching bands performing that day in will be: Louis E. Dieruff, South Hunterdon Regional, Bordentown, Steinert, Hightstown, Robbinsville, Rahway, Nottingham, Northern Burlington, Phillipsburg and South Brunswick. In addition to competing for first place in their class divisions, the bands will compete for awards in music performance, visual performance, overall effect, color guard and percussion.
Last year, the Marching Black and Gold, a Class IIIA band, won the USBands Yamaha Cup competition held at MetLife Stadium for its performance of “Rise of the Machine.” It also took the show awards for best percussion and best color guard. This year, the band, which comprises 62 students, is currently preparing and presenting its 2015 show, titled “Heroes and Villains” at football games and regional competitions. The band is in its ninth year of performance and competition.
Hosting a competition is an ambitious undertaking, requiring the participation of not only band members, but of band parents, the Music and Theatre Parents Association, and the high school and district administrations. Last year, USBands sponsored nearly 150 events involving 700 bands across the country. Formed in 1988, USBands is a program of Youth Education in the Arts, whose mission is to support the character development of young people through participation in the performing arts.
The community is invited and encouraged to attend the competition. The show will begin at 3:30 p.m. and the performances will conclude with an awards ceremony at approximately 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for students 18 and under and seniors over 65; and children age 4 and under are free.
