The Glen Ridge High School Marching Band has completed another successful award-winning season with its final two shows, both held on November 4.
The Band, under the direction of Dr. Darren Gage and Drum Major Oliver Turiano, placed 2nd at the State Championships in Middletown, New Jersey and also earned awards for Best Music and Best Overall Effect. At the National Championships in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the Glen Ridge Band fought its way up from a 7th seed to earn 2nd place and win the award for Best Music. GRHS was also chosen out of all competing bands to receive the prestigious “Esprit de Corps” award, an honor given by the U.S. Marine Corps to the band that best exemplifies the qualities of pride, professionalism and patriotism. Throughout each competition, the band’s scores steadily increased, culminating in the final two shows of the 2017 season. This year’s show, “Open Wide To The World: The Music of Don Ellis” was conceived and designed by Dr. Gage.
In addition to Gage, the band has been supported this season by Assistant Band Directors Elizabethann Landers and Jason Curcio, Percussion Instructor Steve DeLuca, Woodwind Instructor Justin Romano, and Brass Instructors Alecia DeJoseph and Patty Schmitt and Choreographer Gina Ventura. In addition to Turiano, student leaders include Drill Sergeant Jessie Zuiderveld, Field Captain Sam Landis, Color Guard Captain Julia Sterling, Upper Woodwind Captain Camille Peck, Lower Woodwind Captain Collin Wehr, Brass Captain Eli Bushue, Lower Brass Captain Daryush Dehnavi and Percussion Captain Guy Anello.
Photo: L-R: L-R: Lower Woodwind Captain Collin Wehr, Brass Captain Eli Bushue, Field Captain Sam Landis, Lower Brass Captain Daryush Dehnavi, Drum Major Oliver Turiano, Percussion Captain Guy Anello, Color Guard Captain Julia Sterling, Senior Ashley Zweig, and Upper Woodwind Captain Camille Peck. Not pictured: Drill Sergeant Jessie Zuiderveld (Photo: Osvaldo Umana)