The NVOT marching band had a successful year, battling through the rain and cold this season while maintaining a great record.

Band Director Amy Wilcox said, “the band has competed at four competitions and has earned the best scores in the history of the group.”

They started their year well, “earning the highest score in their class all while hosting ten groups from North Jersey and New York,” said Wilcox about their first competition. They ended the last year with an 81 and scored an 82 at their first competition this year.

They continued their success at their competition on October 13 in Fair Lawn, where the band placed first overall. They won awards for Best Music, Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Visual Performance, and Best Overall Effect.

Their last performance of the season was at the US Bands State Championship on October 27. They placed 11th overall and scored an 88.375, which is the highest score in the marching band’s history. The performance got rescheduled from Rutgers University because of rain, but it still was “a great experience” according to senior drum major Jesse Hopfer.

This year’s performance is entitled “Imaginarium” and features the music of French composer Camille Saint-Saens. This piece has also contributed to the band’s dominant season and senior drum major Jesse Hopfer likes how “the piece is more classical than prior pieces.”

Senior drum major Ryan Ward added that “it is easier to follow because it is made to be performed by a band.” But they would not have been able to have a successful season if it were not for their dedication and practices.

The key to their success has been their effort, according Hopfer and Ward. The band “has a lot more confidence,” said Hopfer.

His last year playing with the marching band, Ward felt that “a change has occurred over his four years with the band. [They] have become a lot more engaged.”

The band’s season ended when they performed at Montclair State University on November 4 at the North Jersey Band festival. The marching band is finished performing, but the color guard now will perform as the “winter guard” in the upcoming season and the band members will still perform in their winter and spring concerts.