The championship marks the Lenape Marching Band’s third consecutive title win and seventh win overall in the last eight years.
Lenape High School Marching Band director Steve Waldron never guarantees his students a championship.
“We have to earn that, and that comes from hard work,” Waldron said as he described the long hours of hard work the members of the marching band spend on their shows every year.
However, if the students work hard enough, that hard work can eventually pay off, just as it did at Rutgers University a few weeks ago when the Lenape High School Marching Band won the 2016 USBands Group II Open New Jersey State Championship.
The championship marks the band’s third consecutive title win and seventh win overall in the last eight years.
This year, the Lenape students “served” judges with a show entitled “Bon Appetit” in which students dressed up as chefs, waiters and waitresses, all while playing food themed music.
Music selections included “Food, Glorious Food,” “Be Our Guest,” “Tarantella,” “Hoe Down” and “Mambo Italiano.”
“I always try to pick things the audience can relate to,” Waldron said. “I try to pick shows that are accessible and concepts the audience understand. Everyone can relate to the idea of food.”
The show also earned Lenape a Best Overall Effect Award and a Best Visual Award.
Waldron describes marching band competitions as having developed into more of a “theatrical production” during the last 10 years, akin more to a Broadway show rather than students simply stepping on the field and playing music.
With judges grading for music, color guard, percussion, ensemble performance and even individual performances, Waldron said Lenape has embraced the change.
“We’ve helped push the envelope in that direction, and it’s paid off for us,” Waldron said. “The audience and judges have been very happy with our performances.”
With that in mind, Waldron said there are three pillars through which the Lenape High School Marching Band builds its program: entertaining crowds, doing it at a high level of excellence and having fun while doing it.
Waldron said that last pillar is especially important to the band’s success.
“If we’re not having fun, the audience isn’t going to have fun,” Waldron said. “The system works. I have a great support system with the parents, students and staff, and it’s a well oiled machine.”
As for the time and effort it takes to keep such a machine going, Waldron said practice starts in July, well before each school year begins. At that time, Waldron begins giving out music, and the color guard learns to work their flag equipment.
Then, as the summer moves into August, the marching band has a camp where the students begin to put their drills to music.
Once the school year begins in September, it’s three nights a week of practice, with football games and other competitions as well.
Overall, Waldron said he couldn’t be prouder of the students and their accomplishments, the life lessons they learn about teamwork and individual responsibilities.
“They work through so much, and they sacrifice to be a part of this,” Waldron said.
This year, The Lenape High School Marching Band had an undefeated season leading up to the state win, and now the band heads to the National Championship competition on Nov. 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
