The RHS Marching Rams hosted the 50th anniversary of Under the Stars, their home competition for high school bands from across northern New Jersey, on Saturday, Sept. 28.
For half a century, the same schools have brought their ensembles to RHS as part of their competitive season, creating rivalries and friendships alike. “Under the Stars has been around since the 1970s,” Director of Bands Nicholas Fantazzi explained. “Some bands have been coming to our show for decades; it has become a tradition.”
Coming off of a first-place finish at Roxbury on Sept. 21, the Randolph Marching Rams were eager to host the competition, which this year, turned out to be a rain-soaked affair. Marching band participants from Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties defied the bad weather, however, taking to Bauer Field throughout the afternoon to display their carefully crafted marching band shows.
Under the lights on their home turf, the RHS band performed the encore of the evening. Their program, titled “Metropolitan,” featured recognizable music by Taylor Swift, Gordon Goodwin, Johan de Meij, Robert Sheldon, Frank Sinatra and George Gershwin.
Randolph highlighted every section of the band in this exhibition performance, with woodwind, percussion and brass featured, along with soloists toward the end of the show. “I think we’ve been doing really well this season and are improving with every show,” junior color guard captain Hanna Augustine said.
Each visiting band was evaluated by visual, musical and effects judges. Those with the highest score in their division won, along with an overall Grand Champion.
In Class 1A, which consists of the smallest bands, West Morris Mendham captured the victory. Roxbury knocked off the competition for Class 2A. Morristown took home gold in a tight 3A bracket. West Orange, known for its size and dominance, received all awards for 4A and was crowned the Grand Champion of Under the Stars.
Now that their home show has passed, the Marching Rams look forward to completing their show for later in the season and holding onto their first-place status.
“Watching the kids have fun, perform, and succeed is a great feeling,” said Maggie Borinski, the low brass instructor and former RHS drum major. “I get to help the kids enjoy band as much as I did while still getting to be involved in Marching Band.”
The band’s competition season resumes on Saturday, Oct. 19 @ Verona High School.
