Monroe band makes history
On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Monroe Township High School Marching Band, under the direction of Martin Griffin and Alfred Hadinger, won the 2013 US Bands Group 2A National Championship at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA.
ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania — On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Monroe Township High School Marching Band, under the direction of Martin Griffin and Alfred Hadinger, won the 2013 US Bands Group 2A National Championship at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA.
The band placed first in the championship competition, which featured 24 high school bands from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Conneticut and Maine.
In addition, the band received a school record score of 95.613 and also won the caption award for “Best Overall Effect.”
The MTHS Marching Band is comprised of 54 students in grades 8-12.
This is an extracurricular activity that has a very demanding practice schedule beginning in the summer with two weeks of band camp, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..
Once school starts the practices becomes more intense to master the music and marching, with practices three days a week after school and on-going practices and competitions on weekends through mid-November.
This season, the award-winning Marching Falcons took home two first place and two second place trophies as well as numerous special awards for the best music, percussion and color guard in the regional and state competitions, culminating with its first place finish in the National Championship Competition.
”Last night was the most incredible moment in the history of the MTHS Falcon Marching Band,” Mr. Griffin stated after Nationals. “Thank you to all for helping us reach our goal of US Bands Champions. The kids have been incredible all season and Mr. Hadinger and I are very proud them.”
Mr. Hadinger echoed Mr. Griffin’s sentiments stating, “Last night’s performance capped off an amazing season. We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments.”
The band’s next performance will be tonight at half time during the MTHS home football playoff game against Sayreville.
The band will proudly be displaying their National Championship trophy and banner.
If you can’t make it to the game for a live performance of the MTHS Marching Falcons, you can catch a recap of their home performance at the Oct, 19 Competition hosted by the MTHS Music Parents Association, which is being aired on Comcast channel 28.