BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater-Raritan High School's marching band opened its 2026 competition season Saturday at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, taking part in the first show of the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association performances.
The band is led by directors Nick Mossa and Dr. Tom Bourgault.
Mossa reported that Bridgewater-Raritan earned a 71.7 at the Sept. 19 event.
He said the band was the only group competing in Class III that night, making judges' feedback a key part of the season opener as students begin refining the show for upcoming performances.
"The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Marching Band earned a 71.7 at the show this past Saturday," Mossa said. "As the only band competing in Class III that night, the valuable feedback from the judges was the biggest prize of the night and the band is excited to keep building the show ahead of their next competitive appearance at Union High School on Saturday, Sept. 26."
Mossa also praised the students' effort and focus during the day-long event.
He highlighted the role of upperclassmen and student leaders in helping newer members through the band's first competition of the season.
"I'm very proud of the band's professionalism throughout the whole day. The upperclassmen and student leaders did a great job helping newer members keep their focus for our first time out, and everyone represented our community and our program extremely well. The show was solid and I'm excited to keep building it together with the staff and students this week," said Mossa.
Bridgewater-Raritan's next competitive appearance is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Union High School. The band is set to take the field at 7:30 p.m. and will compete in Class III against Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and Piscataway High School.
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