Pequannock Township Marching Band
The Pequannock Township High School Marching Band is one of the many extracurricular activities offered at Pequannock Township High School. It is one of the most accomplished activities in the entire district, and has been active since shortly after the opening of the school in 1958. The Marching Band competed only in independent competitions during its first 31 years. Starting in 1990, the Band began competing in the USBands Marching Band circuit (formerly known as USSBA and CMBC).[1] The band has been under the direction of the wonderful and charismatic Mr. Anthony Streifer since the 2015 season.
Accolades[edit]
The PTHS Marching Band has gained many achievements since its creation. More recent accolades include earning first place in both the USBands National Championship on November 5, 2017 and the New Jersey State Championship on November 4, 2017 in Group IIIA. At the National Championship, the band earned the caption award for "Best Visual" and at the State Championship, the earned the caption award for "Best Music" and "Best Visual".[2] The band also claimed second place in the 2017 Yamaha Cup, winning the caption awards for "Best Music" and "Best Color Guard". In 2016, the band earned second place in the USBands National Championship in Group IIIA, winning the caption awards for "Best Visual" and "Best Percussion". In 2014, they got third place in the USBands National Championship and second place in the New Jersey State Championship in Group III A. In 2013, the band earned second place in the US Bands New Jersey State Championship in Group IIIA. In 2012 the band placed third place in the USSBA Northern States Championship and first place in the USSBA New Jersey State Championship, winning the caption awards at the State Championship for "Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect, Best Guard, Best Percussion" as a Group IIA band.[3] In 2011, the band placed first place in the USSBA NJ State Championship as well as second in the National Competition as a Group III A band. During the 2008 season, the band earned first place at the USSBA Yamaha Cup,[4] first place at the 2008 USSBA New Jersey State championship,[5] and earned first place in the USSBA Northern States Championship, as a Group III A band. The PTHS marching band ended their 2017 season by winning both State Championships and National Championships within the same weekend. The band was also awarded the caption for best visual at Nationals. In 2019 they placed 4th at NJ state championships, and at Nationals, 1st place, best percussion, best guard and best visual at Nationals in Allentown PA.
Below are specific details about certain seasons and shows that the PTHSMB has performed.
2017 Season[edit]
The band's 2017 show was entitled "The Road Not Taken" which was inspired by the classic Robert Frost poem. They had a very successful season which included placing second in the Yamaha Cup after the band had not participated in many years. To wrap up their season, the band placed first in the USBands New Jersey State Championship as a Group IIIA band with a score of 96.288 and winning the captions for best music and best visual. And on the very next day, they won USBands National Championships with a score of 95.088 and won the caption for best visual.
2012 Season[edit]
For the 2012 season, the Band performed Richard L. Saucedo's “Kaleidoscope” including Reflections of Light, Reflections of Sound, and Reflections of Form. The band won Multiple awards during their main season and went on to win 3rd Place in the USSBA Northern States Championship, as well as 1st place in the USSBA New Jersey State Championship as a Group IIA band.[3] This was the only season the band was a Group IIA band.
2011 season[edit]
The 2011 show is labeled "Sleep on it." It portrays the classic story of "The Princess and the Pea". The show's music and choreography is based primarily off of some specific DCI shows, with influences such as the Cadets, Phantom Regiment, and Carolina Crown. For the first time in a few years, the band was placed into group IIIA, which increased the competition.
The band placed first in the NJ State Finals with a score of 96.513 and second at the A Class national competition with a score of 96.1, just 0.4 points away from the leading band.
2010 season[edit]
The 2010 show is labeled "Escape."
For the fourth consecutive year, Pequannock has earned the title as USSBA Yamaha Cup Group IV A Champions, outscoring nine other bands and winning caption award for Best Visual Performance at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
- Phillipsburg (Silver Show)-1st Place, 68.400, Best Music, Best Overall Effect, Best Percussion
- Pequannock (Gold Show)-Exhibition
- Yamaha Cup Championship (New Meadowlands Stadium)-1st Place, Best Visual Effect [Fourth Consecutive Championship]
2009 season[edit]
The 2009 show, called "Bushido; Way of the Warrior" is inspired by the Japanese Bushido warriors. The show displays a warrior in battle who witnesses the death of his companion. After another vengeful battle scene, the warrior finally recollects and dies himself.
2008 Season[edit]
"Scenes of Suspense" is Inspired by the movies of Alfred Hitchcock, this show included songs form "Vertigo," "Psycho," "North by Northwest," and "The Man Who Knew Too Much." The first song is the opening to "Vertigo", while the second song is the opening to "North by Northwest." The third is the "Scene D'Amour" (Love Scene) from "Vertigo." The fourth is a mixture of the opening and Stabbing parts of "Psycho." The fifth and final number are all part of "The Man Who Knew Too Much."
2008 USSBA Yamaha Cup[6][edit]
On October 11, 2008, The Pequannock Township High School Marching Band performed "Scenes of Suspense" at Giant's stadium. They were awarded 1st place in the competition with a score of 86.15, as well as the award for Best Music. A video can be seen here Pequannock Township Marching Band 2008 Yamaha Cup Champions
2008 USSBA New Jersey States[6][edit]
On October 26, 2008, The Pequannock Township High School Marching Band performed "Scenes of Suspense" in Sewell, New Jersey. They were awarded 1st place with a score of 91.25 and the award for Best Percussion.
2008 USSBA All States[6][edit]
On November 8, 2008, The Pequannock Township High School Marching Band performed "Scenes of Suspense" for the last time in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They received 1st place with a score of 90.1, as well as Best Music and Best Effect. They were also awarded "Esprit de Corp Award" which is awarded by the United States Marine Corps to the band that displays the most professionalism, maturity, and character both on and off the field.
Additional Information[edit]
In early 2018, one PTHS band member started to vlog the 2018 season and upload episodes on YouTube. The vlog was originally titled "The INN" and featured specific band members and inside jokes, but soon evolved into a short series of humorous segments under its newer name, "The ONN". The ONN, which constitutes of three episodes, went beyond the demographic of just the PTHS Marching Band and makes it a notable part of the band's history.
The ONN's first video, which is the most popular of the three, can be viewed here: The ONN ep. 1: do NOT eat onions before playing the clarinet
References[edit]
- ↑ Moore, Justin. "2017_USBands_Fall_About". YEA!. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
- ↑ "Pequannock Marching Band wins national championship". Daily Record. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Pequannock Township High School". hs.pequannock.org.
- ↑ "Topix". www.topix.com.
- ↑ "Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex news | Bergen Record". North Jersey.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "2008 scores". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2009-05-16. Unknown parameter
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