The High School South Pirate Marching Band placed fourth in the US Bands National Championship (for group 2 open bands) on Sunday, November 11, at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands. It is the highest award the band has earned in the last five years.
The show,”Fly Away,” focuses on three main concepts — clouds, flying, and wind. The music is “Among the Clouds” by Brian Balmages, “One Day I’ll Fly Away” from the movie “Moulin Rouge,” and “Windsprints” by Richard Saucedo. The band members began working together over the summer, and have been rehearsing throughout the fall. The band has performed its show at most High School South football games as well as various US Bands competitions.
“I am so incredibly proud of the students in the band this year,” says Ali Carraher, the director of bands at High School South. “They have worked so hard, and accomplished so much as a team. They have grown as individuals, as a family, and simply have had a blast through our journey of rehearsals, football game, and competitions. Placing fourth at nationals was just the icing on the cake. We currently have a really strong team of seniors in the band, who will be sorely missed next year.”
Graduating seniors in the band include Rebecca Braverman, Nikhil Dondapati, Rebecca Finnie, Olivia Gladwin, Kyle Houck, Janice Lin, Belinda Liu, Matt McGuinness, Rishya Narayanan, Azhad Syed, Rebecca Van Dyke, and Elianna Wydra.
The student drum majors are Wydra, and Shivram Viswanathan, a junior. Student executive officers include Olivia Gladwin, president; and vice presidents Rebecca Ho Van Dyke and Elianna Wydra. The marching band is supported by a strong parent booster organization led by Gina Finnie.
The team of adult instructors include Carraher, the director; Mike Davis, assistant director and music arrangement; Chris Vitale, drill design; Ryan Lysy, battery percussion; Chelsea McFarland, pit percussion); and Jeremy Hickson and Melanie Bugher, color guard.
“I’m always amazed at how much time and effort the band coaches put into the Pirate Marching Band,” says Louisa Ho, a band parent. “Whether they are volunteering or receiving a small stipend, they are doing it for the love of marching band and to help our kids. The band couldn’t perform at this level without them.”
