With ninety-six members, the Morris Hills Marching Scarlet Knights work on their show, A Little Party Never Killed Nobody, throughout the season to perform and spread joy.
The show is an eclectic and dazzling marvel with ideals from the Jazz Age to Beyoncé, and members work during pre-season and August’s band camp to prepare for the Fall Season. They worked on everything from box drills, warming-up in SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) circles to refining all the details.
During the season, practices usually take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In the bleachers, the pep band takes place on Fridays. Out on the field, competitions and weekend practices are held on Saturdays. Times and locations of sectionals depend on your type of instrument and the leadership.
After the Knight Club’s debut at a home game with Chatham High School, the scores made at US Bands competitions increased from there. The team competed at Warren Hills, Hackettstown High School, Hanover Park, Ridge High School following Middle School Night and Senior Day, and Pequannock High School. At the Ludwig Musser Classic competition at MetLife stadium, the MHMSK performed their spectacle at 2:58 p.m., placing third in their overall category (4A). State championships were held on November 1st at Robbinsville High School. They came in second in their category.
Samantha Nigra, a flute player, enjoyed the MetLife experience the most specifically.
“Being in the bowels of the stadium was super exciting, and the bands we got to watch after were some of the best I’ve ever heard. The awards were thrilling, especially cheering and celebrating with my bandmates.” Nigra said.
Isabel Hoffman and Kaitlyn Wechsler are clarinet players that have been in the band for a couple of years.
“Every performance is a different experience because of different locations, amount of people, reactions and more. While it is a repetitive activity, it is never the same twice,” explained Wechsler. “With each year having a completely different show, like last year we had our show based off of vampires and this year the show is based on a jazzy night club, you never know what’s next.”
Aiden Chen is a talented drummer in the pit, and he believes that the importance of marching band isn’t about any individual but rather working together as a group. It requires a present mind, athleticism, coordination and airflow depending on your instrument.
“That’s what makes marching band so special, sure, many people say it’s not a team sport, but the truth is, it’s a sport that’s very reliant on teamwork and supporting each other throughout the process.” said Chen.
The color guard works as “flapper girls” in the show, and Anika Yadiki is a new member of the team. She recalls the season as a different yet amazing experience.
“I think that comment we got a few weeks ago about being able to make people happy still holds true to me,” Yadiki reflected. “With all the time and effort we all put in, I remain eternally grateful to this community for making such a great environment for so many of us to enjoy.”
Without the help of US Bands, the boosters, Marching Band management, Mr and Mrs. Hartsuiker, and the members themselves, we wouldn’t have been able to make it this far.
“I love the feeling of being on the field. It’s like all my worries disappear, and I’m just completely in the moment. All I can think about is how much I love this program and the people in it.” Hoffman said. “Band really has become one of my favorite places to be.”