By Mary Ellen Zangara Special Writer
MANVILLE — The Manville High School band is off to a good start for this year’s season, after Saturday’s first competition of the season.
The competition was held at Somerville High School and gave the MHS band its first win.
”The band did a phenomenal job a phenomenal job for their first time out,” new band director Christopher Balas said. “We achieved a score of 62.5 and we came in second in our class.”
The band competed in the Group A category, receiving the competition’s award for the best percussion.
”The credit . . . obviously (goes to) the kids who are the percussionists but also to Dave Rossi who is our percussion instructor,” Mr. Balas said. “Dave does a wonderful job with our percussionists.”
Mr. Balas was very happy with the performance for being their first time out this year.
The 37 members of the band which includes two drum majors, pit percussion, guard and on-field percussion performed this year’s selection, called “Flight,” which features three sections “Fanfare for the Third Planet,” “Into the Light” and “Ascend.” The first two sections are complete with drill, music and guard routines, while drills and routines for the third section haven’t been fully rehearsed.
”That will be our focus for the next couple of weeks,” said Mr. Balas.
The judges at Somerville were “outstanding with their comments,” according to Mr. Balas. “They were things that the students could take hold of and now we can work with for the next two weeks,” he said.
Then, the band will be competing at Hillsborough High School.
”We will be bringing our complete show drill, music, and routine because I never say it is complete until our last show,” Mr. Balas said. “It’s always evolving and there is always change.”
Besides performing at MHS football games, the band will be competing in a few more competitions before their season ends at the end November. In addition to the Hillsborough competition, a Franklin event Oct. 18 in the afternoon will be followed by the band hosting its own competition at MHS at night.
The state school band championships are scheduled for Oct. 26 at Sayreville High School, followed by the Northern States championships on Nov. 2 in Hershey, Pa.
”We are looking forward to a great season,” Mr. Balas said. “We have five more competitions coming up. The band is poised to really achieve a lot.”

