Uniforms from the 1990s will provide the desired look of toy soldiers
Throwback uniforms salvaged from the 1990s will provide the desired look of toy soldiers as the Washington Township High School Minuteman Marching Band unveil a holiday-themed celebration for the 2017–18 season.
Under the guidance of first-year band director Calvin Spencer, the 88-member band will showcase “Yuletide Fantasy,” written by the SFZ Music Group, LLC. The show is based on classic holiday music and will include “Carol of the Bells,” “We Three Kings,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” and a number of other holiday songs.
“Anytime there are changes in personnel, there is always an adjustment period,” Spencer said. “The students really have started to buy in to the new leadership and program. The band continues to get better every day, and we are striving for great performances in the upcoming season.”
Spencer, a teacher in the Deptford Township Schools, served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and was a featured soloist with “The Commandant’s Own,” the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a featured soloist for President George W. Bush in 2002 and also performed for President Bill Clinton, the Queen of England, the Sultan of Oman and various heads of state, government officials and dignitaries from throughout the world. Additionally, he served as the drum major for the University of Akron’s marching band and was a principal trumpet for the University’s Symphonic and Jazz Bands before earning his degree in music education from Rowan University (2006) and his master’s in education from Walden University (2009).
In addition to a full competition schedule, the band will be performing in New Orleans in the 2017 Sugar Bowl Parade and competing in a field show competition.
WTHS Marching Band 2017 Fall Schedule
Friday, Sept. 8: Football at Hammonton
Friday, Sept. 15: Football vs. Atlantic City
Saturday, Sept. 16: Competition at Gateway Regional
Tuesday, Sept. 19: Performance at Philadelphia Phillies Game
Friday, Sept. 22: Football at Shawnee
Saturday, Sept. 23: Competition at Collingswood
Thursday, Sept. 28: Football vs. Rancocas Valley
Saturday, Oct. 7: Competition at Clearview
Friday, Oct. 13: Football at Egg Harbor Township
Saturday, Oct. 14: Competition at West Deptford
Sunday, Oct. 15: Competition at Deptford
Friday, Oct. 20: Football vs. Cherokee (Homecoming)
Saturday, Oct. 21: Competition at Toms River North — NJ State Championship — Tournament of Bands
Saturday, Oct. 22: Competition at Washington Township — Region I Championship — Tournament of Bands
Friday, Oct. 27: Football at Bridgeton
Friday, Nov. 3: Football vs. Kingsway
Saturday, Nov. 4: Competition at Camp Hill, Pa. — Atlantic Coast Championships — Tournament of Bands
Thursday, Nov. 23: Football at Williamstown
Wednesday, Dec. 20: Performance at Philadelphia Flyers Game
Friday, Dec. 29 — Monday, Jan. 1 — Sugar Bowl Field Show and Parade, New Orleans
