Old Bridge H.S. band marches MARIE ORTIZ The Old Bridge High School Marching Knights Band begins Old Bridge Day festivities on a high note during a parade on Saturday. to victory in two competitions By natalie m. vena Staff Writer Marching to the beat of its own drummers, the Old Bridge High School Marching Knights Band won first place in two local competitions. MARIE ORTIZ Band coordinator John Swoboda (l) and his assistant Frank Batsch march to the beat of the Old Bridge High School Marching Knights Band during a parade kicking off Old Bridge Day on Saturday. "Competition is one of those things in life you can’t explain," said 16-year-old band member and drum major Vinnie DuBeau. "No matter what else is going on in life, for those nine minutes, nothing else matters." The Marching Knights won their first competition of the year at the Sept. 24 Scotch Plains-Fanwood competition. They placed first in Group III and received the Mayor’s Trophy. The band was also named grand champions at the event and won best color guard, best drum majors and best overall effort. On Oct. 1, the band won first place in Group III and won best overall percussion in its second competition of the school year. The 88-member band, led by director John Swoboda and show coordinator Eric Robertshaw, is made up of Old Bridge High School students in grades nine through 12. "We have 66 players this year with 19 guard members and three drum majors," said Swoboda. Swoboda has taught music in the Old Bridge school district since 1990. Even though he is a trumpet major, he has experience with every instrument in the band. "I have to demonstrate how to play all of the instruments to my students," Swoboda explained. The large variety of instruments that Swoboda has to demonstrate include piccolos, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, tubas and trombones. Carolyn DeFini, 17, a four-year color guard with the band, enjoys being a part of the band for many reasons. "Band teaches you many things like cooperation, teamwork, dedication and leadership," she said. "Band also lets you meet new people and make new friends." During Saturday’s Old Bridge Day celebration, the band marched in a one-mile parade kicking off the day’s festivities. The Marching Knights are dedicated to being the best. They practice every Monday and Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., and on Friday nights they perform during high school football games. Even weekends are dedicated to either practice or competition. Band members either practice on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or attend competitions. Discipline is important when it comes to juggling school work and band practice. "The students learn to budget their time with the help of junior and senior mentors within the band," said Swoboda. "It’s fun competing because it shows all of the hard work that the band members put into practicing," said Anthony Orecchio, 17, a band member who has played saxophone for the past 10 years. This year the band has been playing selections from the music of David Holsinger, a contemporary band composer. On Oct. 14, the band will be hosting its own competition, "Salute to America," at Vince Lombardi field at the Old Bridge High School West campus. Nine-area high school bands will be competing in three separate groups. The Marching Knights will be competing in Group III against Jefferson Township High School. Awards will be presented "Olympic style," with all of the bands on the field simultaneously. Swoboda’s dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed and have left a lasting impression on at least one of his students. "In the future I hope to become a high school band director," said Orecchio.