By ANUSHREE SREEDHAR, junior

BEN TEN HUT! The marching Hawks are well into their new season and have already performed at various competitions including those at South Brunswick High School, Piscataway High School, Edison High School, and even Giants Stadium. To add to this, on Sunday, October 7, JP Band hosted its very own competition at JP.

The silent, foggy afternoon was graced with the harmonious melody of the Star Spangled Banner, played by JP Saxophones sophomore Pratik Pradhan, juniors Iris Wong and Justin Jones, and seniors David Zhou and David Choi. Just hours before, the Band Department was running in circles, trying to adjust the venue of the competition. The rain that morning had created some difficulties with the competition field, rendering it muddy and almost impossible to march in. Fortunately, a backup plan created for such weather mishaps was put into action, and everyone came together to move the program indoors.

The band room was full with the sounds of tinkling flutes, bellowing trumpets, thundering sousaphones, jazzy saxophones, and other instruments from a number of different schools across the region. A myriad of twirling flags adorned the stage in the auditorium as the Color Guard practiced its routine. Meanwhile, the bleachers in the old gym were packed with enthusiastic parents and friends who cheered for the band competing on the floor below. The evening concluded with an exhibition of the JP Marching Hawks’ performance of “War,” with excerpts from Bonnie Doon, Danny Boy, and Green Bushes.

Although the “marching” aspect was omitted, JP Band successfully carried out its home show within the comfort of JP walls. “It’s difficult to bring things like this indoors. But the parents and students did an outstanding job; so outstanding, that the school received an email from a parent of North Plainfield High School who said that the event couldn’t be any more professional,” said Mr. DeNicola, the director of the JP Band Program. Through the students’ perseverance and dedication to the JP Band program, the competition at home was a success.