Competitive seasons not limited to sports
By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
If the members of the Hillsborough Marching Raider Band find themselves standing below the glaring football field lights waiting to begin another award-winning performance in November — as they have in recent years — they may not remember the number of marching steps they’ve taken to become champions.
But as they wait for the booming announcement: “Hillsborough Marching Raider Band you may take the field in competition,” they will know that the journey didn’t start at that championship, or even at the September practices that preceded the start of this season.
Instead, they’ll remember hours spent marching, playing and twirling under the blazing August sun in the five days they spent at band camp last month.
”It was really productive,” said senior color guard Captain Donna Zdan. “Everyone had a great time.”
Band camp, an overnight trip where the band and the color guard learn their show, began Aug. 26, and lasted until Aug. 30 at Lake Greeley Camp in Greeley, Pa. During their stay, the band members rehearsed music, practiced marching, learned their show’s drill — the steps and movements the band members follow in the show.
”Usually Jules (band leader Jules Haran) sets a goal for what we get done each day,” said junior drum major and trumpet player Tom Harnick. “We hit it or exceeded it every time.”
Though going away can seem strange to first-year students and parents, returning members say the trip helps the band adjust to their competitive season.
”You develop such tight-knit relationships,” said senior drum major and saxophonist Dave Dobrowolski. “It makes it better for the year.”
”It takes us away from the distractions,” said senior drum major and trumpet player Mike Cartoccio. “It’s band 24-7.”
Though the band began learning the music in June, planning for the show begins months before. Band Director Jules Haran starts planning the show as early as February, which includes having music written specifically for the band’s instrumentation, and having drill written for the band’s size.
”It’s very challenging,” said senior color guard captain Kitti Kopia. “It’s a lot of hard work, but we get a lot out of it. I think we’re closer as a band now.”
Despite Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday practices, football games, and competitions, the marching band students do manage to do their regular schoolwork, even if it means starting an assignment during lunch, or completing it after practice. Though it can be a delicate balance, the students work hard to maintain it.
”We have Tuesdays and Thursdays,” said Kitti. “It’s finding time between working and sleeping.”
This year, the band will perform selections from George Bizet’s “Carmen” in the United States Scholastic Band Association’s (USSBA) Group IV Open, the competition designation for bands with 78 to 103 members, Nov. 17 at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The show runs approximately 10 minutes.
In addition to Friday night football games, the band’s schedule includes competitions every weekend from Sept. 29 to November 17. The competitive season begins with the competition at Piscataway High School; followed by competitions at South Brunswick High School (Oct. 6), John P. Stevens High School in Edison (Oct. 7), a regional competition at the College of New Jersey (Oct. 21), East Brunswick High School (Oct. 27), the New Jersey State Championships on Nov. 3, the Northern State Championships on Nov. 10, and the USSBA National Championship on Nov. 17. The band will also give an exhibition performance during the competition they will host Oct. 17.
The camp should help the band extend its seven-year winning streak, which includes winning the New Jersey State Championships Group IV in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, numerous first place finishes at their competitions, and awards for marching, percussion, music, and visual effect.
”Our priority is to get yourself where you want to be,” said Mike.
”I expect we’re going to put together an amazing show,” said Dave. “Make it the best of four years.”
Though the students are undoubtedly the stars of their show, the band gets behind-the-scenes support from the Hillsborough Band Parents Association. In addition to helping run band camp, and helping the band at competitions, games, parades, and organizing the home competition, the parents also help the band financially.
”We have an amazing set of band parents,” said Kitti. “We have parents that come to every show and coordinate events. They do everything that Jules doesn’t do.”
Though new band members may be nervous about beginning the competitive season, older members take it — and an admittedly difficult show — in a marcher’s stride.
”You get that excitement, that first adrenaline rush from the first performance,” said Tom. “This is the hardest music I’ve ever had to play, and the hardest drill I’ve ever had to march.”