BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
The Freehold Regional High School District will hold its second annual marching band festival on Oct. 20 at Freehold Township High School, Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township.
The festival will showcase all six high school bands in the district. It will begin at 7 p.m.
“This festival provides an opportunity for the community to see the high level of energy and talent our students possess,” said Superintendent of Schools James Wasser. “An incredible amount of practice goes into mastering this level of musical performance and choreography.”
Almost 500 students representing the district’s six high schools will take to the field with complex drills and pageantry. With hundreds of instruments, precision marching, fluttering flags and twirling guns, each band will demonstrate its drills and skills. The event will conclude with all six marching bands performing “God Bless America.”
“This is the only time that all six high school marching bands come together and perform in one location,” said Edward Gattsek, Freehold Township High School band director. “The festival offers a wonderful opportunity for students to show their talents and to see what students at the other district high schools are doing.”
Other participating marching band directors include Jack Maniaci, Colts Neck High School; Pam Makrancy, Freehold High School; Anthony Lamaldi, Howell High School; Lawrence Tenzer, Manalapan High School; and Patrick Dalton, Marlboro High School.
Each marching band musical ensemble is comprised of musicians, drum majors, color guard and flag twirlers who perform at various events including football games, parades, music festivals and community affairs. Admission to the Oct. 20 event at the Freehold Township High School football field is free and open to the public.