Marching Huskies Preparing to Host 15th Annual Bayshore Band Competion

Band Camp has begun and that can only mean one thing: The Matawan Regional High Marching Huskies are tuning up to host the annual Bayshore Band Competition in Barry Rizzo Stadium.

Sixty-five young musicians and color guard members will march out on to the football field on Sept. 29 and perform a musical arrangement that highlights several Russian composers from the Romantic Period and 21st Century, according to Band Director Christopher Hensel.

Their theme this year is fire and passion, and while they are excited about the music they are also excited about performing it on the field during competition.

“What's interesting about marching band is they take an art form like music and translate it visually. It's much different from a concert where you absorb music audibly,” Hensel said.

This season should play out to be an interesting one, with the band welcoming multiple new members.

“We have 14 new members alone in the horn line, not including percussion and guard section,” Hensel said, noting that almost the entire drum line graduated in May. “It presents a challenge. Playing an instrument is hard enough and then adding movement to it is very difficult. It just takes patience and knowing the students will get it if you keep giving them the tools to get it.”

“But I like to think of it as a good problem. It's one of the better problems to have,” he said.

The evening of Sept. 29 will mark the fifteenth year in a row that Matawan has hosted the Bayshore Band Competition with the assistance of the Matawan Regional High School Music Parents Association. Last year, the band placed third. Their theme was storm.

So far ten high school bands in the area have registered to compete, and Hensel said more are likely to register as the competition date approaches.

After placing third last year with their storm-themed production, the Marching Huskies are hoping to again make a strong showing on their home team field.

“I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing the music on the field put together. That's one of the most exciting parts,” Hensel said.

Editor’s Note: The Marching Huskies and the Marching Band Parents Association are selling space in a souvenir program to help fund the competition. Donation forms are attached to this article and can be mailed to the high school, Attn: Chistopher Hensel.