By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP — The award-winning marching band at Hopewell Valley Central High School got its own day by way of proclamation.
Mayor Harvey Lester declared Saturday, Oct. 17, to be Marching Black and Gold Day in honor of the music ensemble of more than 60 members, including color guard.
Saturday is also the day when the Marching Black and Gold, as the band is known, will host its first-ever marching band competition at Hopewell Valley Central High School, featuring 12 high schools in total.
“It’s obviously an honor to be recognized by Hopewell Township, and to get a day declared for us to coincide with our own show is something we appreciate sincerely,” said band director David Schwartzer about the proclamation made during the Tuesday Township Committee meeting. “Hopefully, it will help bring awareness not to just the marching band at the high school, but marching band in general, and the great things students are doing at our high school through music.”
The competition called “Music in Motion” starts Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Ackerman Field — the high school’s football stadium. Hopewell Valley’s Marching Black and Gold band will perform the finale at 6:50 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate — $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
The proclamation the mayor bestowed cites a first-place award for Group 3A Division that the Black and Gold won at the Yamaha Cup competition held in November at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, receiving recognition for best visual performance, best general effect, best color guard and best percussion.
Also in 2014, the marching band took third place out of 19 ensembles in its division at the New Jersey State Championships held at Rutgers University. The Black and Gold earned recognition as best color guard and best percussion at the state competition.
“Last year, we had a good competitive season,” said Mr. Schwartzer, who has been director for about the last nine years.
In addition to competitions, the Marching Black and Gold also performs at Hopewell Valley Central football games and other events, like a homecoming extravaganza for young patients inside the cafeteria at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on Oct. 9, appearing with the likes of Villanova University football players and cheerleaders from the Philadelphia Eagles and Temple University.
“The entire band came in full uniform and performed,” Mr. Schwartzer said. “It provided a little normalcy to patients who are there and who may not be able to experience homecoming at their own schools.”
The 11 other high school marching bands slated to perform Saturday, Oct. 17, at Hopewell Valley Central High School are Rahway; Robbinsville; Hightstown; Bordentown; Phillipsburg; South Hunterdon in West Amwell Township; Northern Burlington in Columbus; Steinert in Hamilton; South Brunswick; Nottingham in Hamilton Township; and Louis E. Dieruff in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
