Submitted by Marcy Lechner
Westfield High School’s marching band reached the finals of a prestigious regional competition for the first time ever this season.
The Marching Blue Devils were competing in the Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional Marching Band Competition at the University of Delaware for the third consecutive year.
Twenty-seven of the top high school marching bands on the East Coast, traveling from as far as Connecticut and North Carolina, made the journey to Delaware for the annual competition but just ten were chosen to compete in the finals.
Senior Alexander McGrail, who plays tenor saxophone, remembers the Westfield band’s first appearance in the competition.
“We stayed to watch the top ten bands perform even though we didn’t make the finals and I remember being amazed by how good they were and wondering how we could ever be that good,” he said.
Although the Blue Devils finished in tenth place, just six points separated Westfield (72.4) from this year’s champion, Pennsylvania’s Norwin High School (78.65).
Band Director Christopher Vitale said: “We’re extremely proud of the band for reaching finals at the 2018 Bands of America Mid-Atlantic Regional. Three years ago we attended our first BOA Regional and have been working since that day for the opportunity to perform alongside the best high school bands in the Mid-Atlantic region.
“Our Westfield students left a lasting impression on their audience this weekend representing their community, school, and band program in the most positive way possible. The entire evening was magical and will serve to be a very special moment in time in our band’s history for years to come.”
The 2018 production, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, highlights teenage fears and challenges and the long road to finding the courage to face them.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, by Elton John, forms the musical centerpiece of the show and Superman theme Man of Steel and classical music by Shostakovich are also featured. All the music is specially arranged by Band Director Trevor Sindorf for the band.
The Westfield marching band performed their 2018 production for the final time at the traditional Thanksgiving football game against Plainfield at Plainfield High School.
(above) The WHS Marching band was a Mid-Atlantic Regional finalist for the first time ever this year.
Photo by Westfield Marching Blue Devils Band Parent Association
