By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – The Hightstown High School Marching Rams took second place at the USBands New Jersey State Championships last month and placed third at the Nationals this past weekend.
“This season has been one of the most successful seasons in Hightstown High School (HHS) history,” said Hightstown High School Marching Band Director Justin Halat. “The HHS Marching Band has not placed any lower than second place all season and has won numerous awards for Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect and Best Color Guard.”
The USBands New Jersey State Championship competition was held Oct. 31 at Union High School, where the Rams competed against 22 other bands from across New Jersey.
USBands was founded in 1988 and serves as a competitive circuit for scholastic band programs nationwide. USBands currently boasts membership of more than 700 participating high school marching bands.
There are 73 students in the band, which competed at the 3A level (bands with 55-75 students) in the state competition.
“With 22 bands at New Jersey State Championships, the competition was very tough and we were very happy that the judges placed us second in the state,” said Mr. Halat.
Tom Distelcamp Jr., of Hightstown, a senior who plays the tenor drum, said attending and performing at a marching band competition is always a good test of skills.
“It was very intense but then very exciting to meet and see other high school marching band members from all across the state,” he said in an email. “Our band received a second place award with a score of 93.663, which is the highest score we have received in my three years of participating in the high school marching band.”
Mr. Halat said the Rams performed pieces from the show titled “Espana.” Number the band performed included “El Toro Caliente” by Scott Boerma; “Habanera” by George Bizet; “Diego’s Goodbye” by James Horner; and “Malaga” by Bill Holman.
The music was arranged by Mr. Halat, Chris Zwarych, Richard Saucedo and Jay Bocook.
Junior Hayden Klein, of East Windsor, has been in color guard for three years and a captain for the past two years. There are 17 color guard team members this year, including six seniors and four new recruits.
She said the team members were excited to have been so successful this season under the direction of new color guard instructor, Jennifer Huereca.
“Ms. Huereca has been pushing us all to our full potential since the first day we met her, and even though it has only been a few months, it feels like we’ve known her forever,” said Ms. Klein in an email. “The color guard work is much more difficult than it has been in past years, but she pushes us until we can do the work, rather than giving up after a few tries.”
The color guard has received four “Best Color Guard“ captions this season. Equipment the color guard used this season included flags, sabres, swing flags and roses.
“I feel honored being co-captain of such an amazing, talented, and dedicated color guard, and the entire marching band is honored to represent our high school and the cities of Hightstown and East Windsor,” said Ms. Klein.
Mr. Halat said that the students practice an average of 12 hours a week and put in at least 25 hours a week when figuring in rehearsals, travel time, competitions and football games.
“Mr. Halat has band practice after school, so that allows me to return back the high school for sectional practices and full band practices,” said Mr. Distelcamp Jr., adding that he also attends the diesel technology program at Mercer County Vo-tech in West Windsor.
Mr. Halat said the highlight of the competition was watching the students continue to get better and better each week.
“We strive for excellence from day one and we work on performing the perfect show all the way up to National Championships,” he said.
The HHS Marching Band competed in its final competition at the USBands National Championships in Allentown, PA, on Nov. 8, competing against 26 other bands. The band placed third place with a score of 96.275 and won the Cadet Award of Excellence.
Daniel Levinson, of East Windsor, a senior and saxophone captain in the band, said in an email that he couldn’t be prouder to be a part of one of the best marching bands in the country.
“It all came down to the fact that for the first time in years, this group came together with a common goal and a high sense of dedication,” he said. “Just from the early days of pre-band camp it was clear that we had quite a season ahead of us. We proved that at nationals by performing our best show, getting third place, and beating our previous school record with a score of 96.275.”
He said the he has been lucky enough to see this group grow into a dedicated, talented, and unique family of individuals, whether they be the students or staff.
“I am so thankful for being in this band and for having the best season yet.” he said.
