'Marching Madness' Competition Returns To Ridge High School

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Ridge High School Marching Band will host 16 New Jersey and New York area bands at the 12th annual Home Competition "Ridge Marching Madness" on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The William Annin Middle School Band opens the event at 3:55 p.m. with the National Anthem and competitions beginning at 4 p.m.

Bands are grouped into 5 classes based on size from under 39 to more than 100. This US Bands sanctioned "Gold Showcase" competition is expected to draw some 1,500 participants and spectators throughout the afternoon and evening.

"We are very excited to host our 12th marching band competition this Saturday. The students have been working very hard all season and they can't wait to host many other fantastic ensembles this weekend. This competition is always an impressive showcase of what makes marching band such a great and unique experience. We hope to see many people there to support all of the bands and their hard work this season," said Clay Beyert, Director of the Ridge High School Marching Band.

The host Ridge Marching Band presents the evening’s final performance at 8:30 p.m., with its 2022 show "Pandora’s Box", in a judged exhibition. The awards ceremony begins at 9 p.m.The roster of bands in competition this year, in order of appearance, is:

• Waldwick High School (Waldwick, NJ)
• Oceanside High School (Oceanside, NY)
• Delaware Valley Regional High School (Frenchtown, NJ)
• Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan (Old Tappan, NJ)
• Middletown High School North (Middletown, NJ)
• Montville Township High School (Montville, NJ
• Columbia High School (Maplewood, NJ)
• Hackettstown High School (Hackettstown, NJ)
• North Bergen High School (North Bergen, NJ)
• Hunterdon Central Regional High School (Flemington, NJ)
• Somerville High School (Somerville, NJ)
• Pequannock Township High School (Pompton Plains, NJ)
• Ridgewood High School (Ridgewood, NJ)
• New Providence High School (New Providence, NJ)
• Passaic High School (Passaic, NJ)
• Hillsborough High School (Hillsborough, NJ)

"17 bands will perform for a guaranteed afternoon and evening of fun and electrifying music. This annual showcase, a true community event, is only possible due to great commitment of time and resources by students, school administrators, front-line workers, volunteers of all ages, Bernards Township, and Somerset County Road and Traffic Safety. Additionally, our area business sponsors continue to demonstrate their support of the arts through their sponsorships. We would like to thank all for their commitment and cooperation," said Ridge High School Band Association Co-President Brett Hodges.

Tickets are available at the gate. For more information about Ridge’s "Marching Madness" Home Competition, visit www.RidgeMarchingBand.com.

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