Freehold Township High School hosted the 2010 Freehold Regional High School District marching band festival on the evening of Oct. 13 on the school’s football field.
The annual event provides the members of the marching bands from the six FRHSD schools with the opportunity to interact and perform their field shows for each other, as well as for the public and school administrators.
During the festival, all of the band members sit in the stands on the same side of the football field, watching and cheering their peers. The air of camaraderie provides a refreshing change from the good-natured competitiveness associated with bands performing during football games.
In between the field shows, each band performed a musical piece from the stands.
Manalapan High School’s Marching Braves kicked off the field-show performances with a tribute to childhood songs including “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “My Favorite Things,” among others. The band’s show featured a giant rocking horse and blocks setting the backdrop for the show.
Marlboro High School’s Marching Mustangs then boldly went where no man has gone with songs from “Star Trek.”
Next the Colts Neck High School Marching Cougars performed oldies but goodies from the 1970s, followed by the Freehold High School Marching Colonials performing “Cirque du Soleil’s Journey of Man.”
The Howell High School Marching Rebels invited everyone to “Come and Escape” while they performed songs that related to that theme.
The Colts Neck Steppers kicked up their heels and provided a change of pace before the Freehold Township High School Marching Patriots took their home field with a tribute to the music of Michael Jackson. The energetic show featured a re-creation of a segment of the famous “Thriller” dance that had the crowd cheering in the stands.
The finale brought all six bands together on the field for a massive marching-band version of “God Bless America” and a harmonious conclusion to a memorable night.