Marching band competition season in full swing

Both Andy and Christopher performed in marching band competitions on Saturday night.

Christopher is in his first year as a member of the Hilliard Darby High School Marching Band. The band performed at the Lexington High School Band of Gold Festival along with 14 other bands. Darby won first place in its class (AA) and the competition's "Grand Champion" trophy. It also took top awards for music, visual presentation, percussion and color guard. Darby earned a Superior rating and qualified for State Finals in October.

Andy, a sophomore, is in the drum line of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Marching Band. It took part in its first U.S. Scholastic Band Association competition of the season, at Roxbury High School. Of 22 bands at this particular event, it was the only one in the "Group 6-A" large-band category. So it took the group trophy, but more importantly, it achieved a good score that shows it's on track for a successful season, which culminates in November with State Finals and the USSBA's northeastern championship.

Below is a brief clip of the SPFHS band performing at its Home Show one week earlier. As the clip opens there's a clear view of Andy with his set of five tenor drums. The picture at right shows where to find him.