The following was extracted from HMHS Yearbooks 1938 to the present.

 

1938

“For the first time Haddonfield Memorial High School could boast a band second to none.  Its gay uniforms, spirited playing, and martial drum majors did much to awaken enthusiasm and pride in our school at football games.  Great credit is due to the Exchange Club, the Parent-Teachers Association, the school executives, and all the citizens of our community who cooperated to make possible the purchase of uniforms, instruments, and the securing of Mr. Townsend, their able conductor.

In addition to performance at football games, the Band played at the children’s Christmas party, in the Hallowe’en parade, to advertise the second senior play, and in the Music Festival.  Seven of the group were chosen to play in the All-County High School Band.

                Fifty-one members comprised the organization, eleven of whom were Junior School students.  Its manager was Esther Hurd, and Jacqueline Troy and Bonnie Hickman, the librarians.  Four members and the three drum majors will be lost through graduation.  With such a large remaining group, the prospect is bright for an even better band next year.”

 

1939  The band performed at the Mardi Gras and in the American Legion parade on Armistice Day.

 

1958  “…Our school placed twenty members in the South Jersey Band and nine members in the All State Band; it was the best showing of any high school in South Jersey.”

 

1959  “Twenty band members represented Haddonfield in the South Jersey Band, and four won positions in the All State Band.

Mr. Wilhjelm brought a great honor to Haddonfield when he was selected for membership in the First Chair of America Association in recognition of the fact that he conducts one of the finest school bands in the nation.”

 

1960  “…Presenting skits for half-time was only one part of the annual functions of the Band.  This year, the Band joined the Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra to produce a highly successful Children’s Concert.

                …The Color Guard placed second this year in the National Baton Twirling Competition held in Trenton.”

 

1964  “…The proficiency of our band has prompted considerable recognition.  It was rated second in the state and has been selected to appear in a national yearbook.”

 

1965  The Band was asked to perform at a launching at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden.

 

1969  This marked the first time “colonial” style uniforms were worn.

 

1974  Two members receive the National Band Association Award – R. Traver, G. Hallowell.

 

1981  “This past marching season is almost indescribable in words; … the overwhelming thrill of our sweeping victory at the Woodbury Competition, the most importantly, the friendship and togetherness that comes from working with a group of people striving for a common goal.  – Mary Kay Chmielewski, Drum Major”

  

1982  “This year’s Marching Band season was an exceptionally successful one.  We again took first place at the Clayton Cavalcade of Bands and participated in the first Colonial Conference Band Festival held at Haddon Heights.”

 

1983  “THE AWARD WINNING H.M.H.S. MARCHING COLONIALS  …The Colonials carried on its winning tradition at the Clayton Cavalcade of Band competition where we gave a first place performance as did our drum major, Joel Hylen.”

                In addition, American Music Abroad first appears. “…Throughout the year, Mr. Hackenberg devotes much time to being the administrative director for AMA and has toured Europe the past nine summers…”

 

1985  “BAND WINS TROPHY.  …Much to our surprise the Haddon Heights exhibition performance took a competitive twist.  With pride we accepted the trophy for best music….”

 

1986  “The marching band proved their excellence when they competed in two competitions – at Glassboro State College and Sterling High School.  In both competitions, the band received high ratings.  In fact, at the Sterling performance the band received an overall “superior” score.” - Laura Tarditi

                “…On a windy day in September, the Colonials traveled to Atlantic City to perform in the Fireman’s Parade…”

 

1987  “…the band attained a second place in the Woodbury Fall Parade and a first place in the Monroe Township Halloween Parade, dressed in Halloween garb…”

 

1988  The band plays as the Spectrum.

 

1989  “In addition to participating in the Von Steuben Parade in Philadelphia, and being televised on Channel Six, we played at the Colonial Conference Competition…”

 

1992  “…the band ended its season on a high note by receiving an “Outstanding” rating at the Colonial Conference Band Festival.”

 

1993  “…This year the Marching Colonials marched in Philadelphia in the Van Steuben Day Parade.  We hosted our own festival and competed in three other band festivals, where at the Colonial Conference Band Festival we received a rating of ‘Outstanding’ and an award for ‘Best Brass.’”

 

1995  “…The band received an Outstanding at each of the (five) festivals and met all of its goals for this season…”

 

1996  The Marching Colonials were Colonial Conference champions.

                “…At all competitions the Colonials scored no lower than Outstanding (a B rating) despite tough competition from bands more than twice their size.  In addition, the Colonials were awarded Best Band of the Show at the Colonial Conference Festival at Gateway Regional High School on October 19, 1995, with a score of 92.7, granting them a Superior (A rating).  This was the highest rating received by the Colonials in over five years…”

 

1997  “…The Marching Colonials this year were Colonial Conference champions for the second year in a row…”

 

1999  “…The marching band experienced an all-time high in participation and was rewarded for their hard work when they won the prestigious Overbrook Festival.”

 

2000  “...The band performed in the Tournament of Bands (TOB) competitions for the first time ever…The band performed in pouring rain at the Gateway TOB competition and took home a whopping second place in its division...”

 

2001  “…The band stormed the competition at every festival, earning two “outstanding” trophies from the Millville and Schalick Festivals this season.  Drum Major Irene Ann Resenly took home the esteemed “Best Drum Major” award from the Millville Festival, and had the honor of handing the “Best Soloist” trophy to Ian Miller at the Schalick Festival…

                …At the Marching Band’s only Tournament of Bands Festival, a rigorously judged competition, the band won the Group II trophy, “Best Percussion” award, and the “Best Guard” award…”

 

2002  “…The band was very successful in their first year of competition in the United States Scholastic Band Association’s circuit.  After starting off in last place in South Jersey, the band improved their score significantly…to finish fourth overall in the Group 1A Championships of New Jersey held in Atlantic City…”

 

2004  “James Bond was the theme of the 2003-2004 Marching Band show…  (We) improved our score by twenty points from the beginning to the end of the season, also receiving an award for best rifle squad.”