The Marching Black and Gold, Hopewell Valley Central High School’s marching band, is preparing to host its second USBands competition on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the high school.
Including the Marching Black and Gold, 10 bands will participate in the competition, titled Music in Motion to be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ackerson Field.
“Not only is it an honor to host a USBands competition, it is a great way to celebrate our kids, their hard work and their talents. I’m glad we are able to host this show for the second year in a row,” said David Schwartzer, director of the Marching Black and Gold, and band director at the high school.
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 include South Brunswick, Bridgewater-Raritan, Nottingham, Hightstown, Robbinsville, Rahway, South Hunterdon, Voorhees and Potamac Falls High School from Sterling, Virginia. 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.
The community is invited and encouraged to attend the competition. The show will begin at 3:30 p.m. The Marching Black and Gold is scheduled to perform at 6:20 p.m.and the performances will conclude with an awards ceremony at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students 18 and under and seniors over 65. Children age 4 and under are free.
The band, which comprises of 55 students, is currently preparing and presenting its 2016 show, titled Take to the Skies at football games and regional competitions. With this show, which chronicles the advent of flight, the band is celebrating its tenth year of performance and competition.
