ALLENTOWN — Ross Hecht, who directs the Allentown High School Redbird Marching Band, has reason to sing the praises of his student-musicians.
On Nov. 8 the Redbirds placed second with a score of 96.525 in the USBands National Championships in Allentown, Pa. On the road to their second-place finish, the Redbirds earned the Best Music and Best Percussion awards.
The Redbirds were the last band in their group to perform – which is regarded as an honor. The Allentown students were competing against 17 bands from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and New York.
“I am thrilled for the students … I could not be more proud,” Hecht said in the aftermath of his squad’s outstanding performance in Pennsylvania. “The members pushed themselves every day to get better. This was a very difficult field show they performed and maxed it out. I was speechless; speechless because there were no words to describe how proud I was of them and their accomplishments.”
The Redbirds performed their field show “ChronoVariations.” During the show they explored variations of time from time signatures, tempos and pulses while performing classic songs such as “Shenandoah” and “Simple Gifts,” Hecht said.
The drill formations included many clock-based ideas. In addition, the color guard members spun flags that were all clock-themed.
“It was a very timely show!” Hecht said.
The students began rehearsing their fall show in June and practiced almost every day.
“It takes a lot of time to perfect our program,” Hecht said, adding it was a special moment when the Redbirds learned the results at nationals. “The band was very excited. It was an exciting season for everyone and to cap it off with a second-place finish, everybody was happy.”
Two band members shared their thoughts about the unit’s success.
“We had a great run of a season for my final year,” said senior Sam Ramsey, who plays the sousaphone. “Getting second place and being only 0.113 behind first place is such a fantastic feeling. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments this season. We have worked so hard and really enjoyed performing this show. Winning second place with Best Percussion and Best Music was really a dream come true.”
Senior drum major Abby Urban reflected on the experience and said, “It has been a huge honor being the drum major these past two years. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to conduct and lead the band. Conducting at nationals brought tears to my eyes.”
Hecht said there is something special about competing at nationals against bands from other states.
“All of the bands are trying to achieve the same goal. It is difficult. The staff tells the students to focus on doing their best and not to worry about scores or judges. When the students do their best and the judges agree, it is that much more exciting,” he said.
When the students returned to the high school after nationals, family members and friends greeted them with cowbells and signs. The buses were escorted by the Allentown Police Department and the Hope Fire Company.
Hecht said the band rehearses a great deal and he reminds his young musicians it is important to “do your best every time.”
“I spend a lot of time discussing how it is more than a marching band we are perfecting,” he said. “We are working on making the choice to be the best you can be all of the time, no matter what you are doing.”
The students receive support from the Redbird Band Parent Association (RBPA). Parent Tom Lennox said he believes the band’s showing at nationals was an all-time high score for Allentown and was the result of commitment and sacrifice on the part of everyone associated with the unit.
Hecht thanked the RBPA for its support.
Prior to competing at nationals, the Redbirds finished second at the state championships in Piscataway.
As for the future, Hecht said, “We (will) continue to improve and challenge ourselves to be better than ever. Every season, I ask the students to be the best they can be, in school, on the field and at home. Next season will be no different, (we will) strive for greatness every day.”
Hecht said many of the students in the marching band are also in the school’s concert band. The concert band will sponsor a concert and soup dinner on Dec. 10. Soup will be served at 6 p.m., followed by a concert at 7 p.m.