TIME CHANGE for 9/19 Football at Neptune! New reporting and performance times!

Director's Updates

Time Update!

Important Update: September 17, 2025

The start of the Neptune game on Friday 9/19 has been moved to 6:30 PM; therefore, our reporting times are much later! Here is the new schedule for Friday:

3:50 PM: Student leaders arrive
4:00 PM: Doors open for everyone
4:20 PM: Inspection for a 4:30 departure at the latest
6:00 PM: Pregame performance
Dismissal: After we get home from the game, unpack our pep band instruments, and have announcements. Hopefully 9:30-10 PM

Thanks for rolling with the changes! GO SOUTH!

On Top and Ready to Climb!

Director’s Update: September 15, 2025

As always, I would like to start with a huge THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the dedicated parents, alumni, relatives and all others who helped move all of our stuff and allowed the band members to concentrate on having great performances last week! The kids literally cannot do this without you!

Hopefully you’ve heard the fantastic news by now, via Remind or the district home page… not only did we win our group at Manchester, not only did we have the highest score across ALL class A bands (regardless of size) at the competition… we are currently ranked first for Group 2A in our entire tournament circuit! This means all bands of our size competing in Tournament of Bands throughout NJ, southeastern PA, and northeastern DE! According to my records, the last time this happened was 1987, when yours truly was the shortest trombonist on the field.

As we told our musicians Saturday night, this is just the beginning. We have a lot of work to do to continue to make our show the best it can be, and keep that top spot! With that in mind, here is a glance at our week.

Competition Band Rehearsals - Pep/Parade will not be rehearsing this week:

Monday: Percussion 6-8, Guard 6-9
Tuesday: Full Band 6-9
Thursday: Full Band 6-9

Friday: Away @ Neptune: EARLIER TIMES!!!

Thanks to the heroic efforts of the Bandwagon pit crew, we got to perform our show on time at Brick Township, but we cut it really close. In order to give us more setup time, and provide extra time for potential delays or route changes, we need to leave HS South earlier than originally planned for our away games. I am well aware that this puts extra pressure on our 8th grade Seminole members. The staff suggests that they arrive at HS South ASAP, wearing their performance shoes and socks as well as clothes that can go under their uniforms. That way, they can jump into their uniforms during what will likely be a 40-plus minute bus ride.

3:25 PM: Student leaders arrive
3:35 PM: Doors open for everyone
3:55 PM: Inspection for a 4:05 departure at the latest
Dismissal: After we get home from the game, unpack our pep band instruments, and have announcements. Hopefully 9-9:30 PM

Saturday: Full Day Competition Details

We have a “regular” full-day competition this week at Brick Township. Since we have an away game the night before, we can keep the truck packed for the next day; these times depend on that. If we have to unpack and re-pack, we will need to come in an hour earlier. Please note that for full-day competitions, you need to bring money and/or a late lunch/early dinner as none will be provided. You also need to wear your official Agent 54 “tour” T-shirt or bring it with you to change after we march!

Here is the current itinerary, subject to change.

12:15 PM-12:45 PM: Doors open. Guard changes; musicians wear Dinkles and bibbers, carry jackets and shakos. Everyone should bring their garment bag, hat box, tour shirt, and anything else for changing after we compete.
1:00 PM-2:25 PM: Arrive at Brick Twp. Unload, warm up.
2:25-2:40 PM: Musicians put on jackets and shakos; march to truck for plumes and a last drink of water.
2:40-3:10 PM: Roll out! Gate time is 2:50
3:10 PM: SHOW TIME!!! IT WILL BE AWESOME!!!
3:25-4:00 PM: Return to truck and pack; return to buses and change.

4:00-6:00 PM: Free time! Eat, buy the merch, watch the other bands on your own
6:00-6:10 PM: Head to away stands now!
6:10-7:30 PM: Host band performance and retreat (awards)
7:30-8:30 PM: Arrive back; unpack; room must be “Monday morning ready” before announcements and dismissal!

That's it! As always, do your best, and have fun! GO SOUTH!

Busy First Full Week Ahead!

Director’s Update: September 9, 2025

First of all, I would like to shout another THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the dedicated parents, alumni, relatives and all others who helped move all of our stuff and allowed the band members to concentrate on having great performances last week! As always, here is a detailed breakdown of our happenings this week.

Competition Band Rehearsals - Pep/Parade will not be rehearsing this week:

Monday: Percussion 6-8, Guard 6-9
Tuesday: Full Band 6-9
WEDNESDAY: Full Band 6-9 (change due to Visit the School Night)

Senior Pictures Wednesday Night

All seniors should come to the Band Room around 5:15 PM on Wednesday to get your picture taken, in uniform, in preparation for Senior Night.

Friday: First Away Game

We have to leave super early for our away games, since the competition band has to perform our show pregame (normally around 5:30). Due to the amount of space required for the competition band, pep band instruments will all be placed in the back of the passenger buses. Here is the current itinerary:

3:50 PM: Student leaders arrive
4 PM: Doors open for everyone
4:20 PM: Inspection for a 4:30 departure at the latest
Dismissal: After we get home from the game, unpack our pep band instruments, and have announcements. Hopefully 9-9:30 PM

Saturday: Evening Competition Details

We have a “regular” evening competition this week at Manchester. Since we have an away game the night before, I am hoping we can keep the truck packed for the next day; these times depend on that. If we have to unpack and re-pack, we will need to come in an hour earlier. Here is the current itinerary, subject to change.

4:15 PM-4:40 PM: Doors open. Guard changes; musicians wear Dinkles and bibbers, carry jackets and shakos.
4:40 PM: Departure for Manchester HS.
5:00-5:45 PM: Arrive; we have time off before performance tonight! Anyone with instrument on the truck go back to the truck at 5:50.
5:45-6:00 PM: Musicians put on jackets and shakos; find a warmup spot.
6:00-6:50 PM: Warm up/review
6:50-7:10 PM: Gate time
7:10 PM: SHOW TIME!!! IT WILL BE AWESOME!!!
7:25-7:45 PM: Return to truck and pack.

7:45-7:54 PM: No time to change; back to stands for host band
7:55-8:30 PM: Host band performance and retreat (awards)
8:30-9:30 PM: Arrive back; unpack; room must be “Monday morning ready” before announcements and dismissal!