Ridge Marching Band Wraps Up Season

The Ridge Marching Band wrapped up its season of performances and competitions on Sunday by placing seventh out of 21 bands at the U.S. Scholastic Band Association National Group IIIA Championship.

The band improved its score to 93.725 at the championship, said Don Grossmann, publicity chairman for the Ridge band. However, the score by the winning band from Perkiomen Valley, Pa. a very high school in USSBA competitions, althought Grossman he does not have historical data.
 
"This concludes a great season, highlighted by the second place award at the N.J. state championships, first place at the Somerville Festival, and second and fourth place awards at two other events, he said.

In October, the Ridge Marching Band announced it had captured had first place in Group IIIA at the 31st Somerville Pioneer Marching Band Festival, held at Somerville High School. Ridge also collected awards at that festival for “Best Music," “Best Overall Effect," “Best Visual Performance,” and “Best Color Guard.”

The Ridge Marching Band was awarded second place at November's New Jersey State Group IIIA championship, in a competition with 18 bands held in Sewell.

Competing against other bands in the same classification (bands with 56-75 members), Ridge was awarded a score of 92.925, trailing only Pequannock High School, at that championship.

The band's final competition was in Pennsylvania.

The Ridge Marching Band provided entertainment at Red Devils football games.

This year's program featured music from the "The Lion King," Broadway musical composed by Elton John and Tim Rice. The band’s four part show included the popular songs "Circle of Life," "The Stampede," "Shadowland," and "The King of Pride Rock."