ALLENTOWN, PA — The West Milford High School Highlander Marching Band took home the second place trophy in the United States Bands A Class National Championships competition in Allentown, PA on Nov. 8. They also won a special award from the US ARMY.
“We are extremely proud of the job the band has done this year," said Highlander Band Director Brian McLaughlin. "They presented truly outstanding performances at both the Yamaha Cup at Metlife Stadium (Nov 1), and at National Championships in Allentown.”
The Highlander Band also won second place at the Yamaha Cup Competition at Metlife Stadium with a score of 86.825, only three points behind the first place Somerville High School Band which scored 90 88.
At the National Championships in Allentown, the Highlander Band finished with an impressive score of 91.213, less than one point behind the 92.188 top score earned by the Cherokee High School Band.
“Their performance at Nationals earned them second place, with less than a point between them and first place," McLaughlin said. "When the margin is that small, you're talking about two very fine bands.”
The Highlanders' exceptional performance at Nationals earned them awards for Second Place Overall, Overall Best Effect, and also the prestigious US Army Band of Excellence Special Award.
“A secondary judging panel from the Army was also evaluating the bands at National Championships, and that panel put the Highlanders in first place, awarding them the US Army Award for Excellence,” McLaughlin explained. “We had a terrific season.”
- Patricia Keller