PHS Band Room
(973) 263-7001 x2313

An open letter to the band community,

This letter is being written by a band dad and a member of the "jock fraternity". I've watched these emails in amusement as many have expressed the virtues of band over athletics and visa versa. I don't speak as an authority but yet as someone who played sports in high school. I had never really thought of the band in terms of competitiveness. Boy was I mistaken. I now have two daughters in the color guard of their high school band and have grown to love this competition as much if not more than the football games that they play at. I use to feel that our 2 1/2 hour practices were rough but those were nothing compared to the hours and hours of practices that these band members, guard members and directors go through to perfect their show. The patience and discipline that is required is amazing. If success is a derivative of hard work than I believe these students are learning valuable lessons for later in life.

I also must take this opportunity to congratulate the members of all the bands I have seen this year. The shows have been wonderful. I love the respect and camaraderie with which fellow band members treat each other. I was especially touched this year when the Hillsborough and Franklin football teams played one another. The game was tightly contested and at halftime the Franklin band came and sat in the Hillsborough bleachers, that were vacated by the Hillsborough band. The only thing was that they didn't sit. They stood and cheered Hillsborough on like they were one of the band parents. All this in the middle of a tight contest between two rival schools. This is what I love about band. The students are so supportive of each other.

A little note to band parents. Please don't go down the road that you see too often from some parents of athletes. Cheer positively in support of your child but also support the work of the other bands. After all who knows better than you, of the hours and hours of sweat equity each student has invested in their show. For the most part this is what I have seen. Positive, positive, positive but there are always those few who will never get it.

As for me, I know longer anticipate the return of the football teams after halftime. By the way maybe we should start a drive to increase the halftime period. Count me in as a band convert.

Good Luck at championships to all the bands and Directors! You are all winners!!

PS. Thanks for this website. It has helped a complete beginner understand
what is happening around me.