High School Band Is Bergen Co.'s Best
The Town Manager - January 1932, p. 16
The Teaneck High School bank was organized after the opening of the new high school building in February, 1929. After that time all members began their study on their instruments. It was an unusual case in that not one of the members had ever had any instruction at the time of the open of the new school.
The group secured their instruments, rehearsing from the beginning as a bank, starting with east marches and practice in the scale work.
Before the end of the first semester that school was in session the band had grown to a membership of about fifty players, all of whom secured their training at the high school. A strong effort was started to secure uniforms. this project was successfully achieved at the close of school last year. During the next year the band played for a number of the football games and for many school events. At the close of the year they gave the first music festival. Besides all the appearances of 1919-30 in 1930-31 the band broadcasted over W. O. R. and gave several concerts. This year the band has played for all the football games but one, and is retiring now to prepare for a concert, commemorating its third birthday. This concert is on February 26 about the time of year the many got under way. In order to meet the standard requirements for instrumentation of a concert band the band now needs three more saxophones, two also clarinets, four flutes, four piccolos, one baritone, 2 bass clarinets, 1 oboe, 1 bassoon, 1 English horn, two flugelhorns, 2E flat clarinets, a soprano, baritone and bass saxophone. The band again needs more uniforms for the new members, and the furnishing of music for the large organization of sixty players is unfortunately a problem.
The value of this work to the student as an avocation cannot be overestimated. It equips the student with a life-long emotional outlet and makes a most worthwhile use of leisure time. The equipment is permanent and adds most effectively to the present and future happiness of the members. The value to the school and community is obvious. For these reasons school bands and orchestras have had tremendous impetus and developments in the recent years in the public schools of this country.
The band's present aim is to complete the instrumentation and perfect the players and develop in the Junior high school band new material to fill the places of those who graduate.
Back to: Teaneck Schools 1930's
