by Davy James, Staff Writer
After years of coming close to the top, the South Brunswick High School Viking Marching Band finally broke through to win the United States Scholastic Band Northern States Championship. Over the last 12 years, the marching band finished second in the competition seven times.
”The definition of insanity is to continue to do the same things and expect different results,” said band director Mark Kraft. “A few years ago we went to a two- band system, one for performances at football games and events and the other for competitions. Finishing second as many times as we did is a spectacular achievement, but the organization of kids, parents and staff weren’t satisfied with that and continued to work together to finally break through.”
Four hundred bands competed from New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina and South Carolina in the competition, which took place Nov. 1 in J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, Pa. The SBHS band received the highest score of any band competing over the weekend. The group VI Open Division featured 11 finalists, which were whittled down from the larger field. The event also saw the band win other honors, as special awards were earned for Best Visual and Best Colorguard.
”We’re proud of all of the individual elements that went into the performance,” Mr. Kraft said. “To get 180 students to work together requires a design team and writers to write the music and drill the visual presentation that fits together. We have a strong Colorguard, outstanding percussion and wind sections and we’re lucky to have a group of really great kids in a district that supports these activities.”
Mr. Kraft said the honors are a testament to the dedication of all those involved with the program. The students start in June with rehearsal a couple of nights per week, one night a week over the summer break and two nights a week in August. The week before school begins the band goes to a camp for a week where it practices and learns the competition performance from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Once school begins they practice 12 hours per week outside of the regular school day.
”Instead of getting to go home and chill, go to the movies and play video games these kids are practicing even when they go home,” Mr. Kraft said. “They need to budget their time to keep up with their academic demands so it makes it thrilling to watch them come together as a team.”
Mr. Kraft said the students are learning skills that they will take with them after their time at SBHS.
”We’re teaching them life skills that go beyond school,” he said. “They learn how to work together as a team and how to be responsible. No one person can make this happen as it takes commitment from students, parents and staff. It’s the beautiful thing about this music department because we are all a team.”
