Band Season is Coming

Story George W. Forman

We’re heading toward mid-August, and while many of us are enjoying the lazy days of summer as much as we can, there are the inevitable signs that fall is approaching. If you live anywhere near a high school in Ocean or Monmouth County, you know that football practice is already underway. And along with that, you may also be hearing the glorious sounds of trumpets, trombones, mellophones, woodwinds, and drums as many high schools get their “Band Camps” started. The great bands here on the shore (along with their twirlers and flag lines) are learning the music and moves for this year’s halftime shows and contest packages, and for parades as well.

There’s nothing like a Friday night or Saturday afternoon of high school football and the bands play a big part of the color and excitement. But also during the fall, you can see and hear all the hard work the students put in without being “interrupted” by a game at a number of shows and competitions throughout our area. One of the major competitions is the Tournament of Bands, and there will be several this year locally that you can attend:

September 23 – Matawan High School

September 30 – Brick Memorial High School

October 7 – Central Regional High School

October 8 – Southern Regional High School

So far, Toms River South, Jackson Liberty, Barnegat, Toms River North, and Brick are participating, along with the host schools. For more information, here’s the Tournament website: http://www.njatob.org. We’ll keep you updated on any other shows and competitions on our Hometown Happenings page.   One other note: some of the bands may be going on trips to places like the Disney parks, or a New Year’s Parade and will be raising funds in various ways. These trips make memories that last a lifetime for the students and as a “Band Uncle”, it was worth the calories from a few bars of “band candy” to help my nephew and niece go to London with the Brick Memorial band to march on New Year’s Day 1988. So whether it’s candy or a car wash, the bands will appreciate your help.

More from WOBM: