Hard Work Paying Off for Marching Band (VIDEO)

Weeks of practice, hours of marching, and lots of standing, practicing, playing and studying are finally paying off.

The 73 members of the East Brunswick Marching Band have been at it since the summer, and after months of work, are finally seeing their hard work pay off. The team, and over the last weekend of October, hosted the Annual Marching Band Festival.

“We’re getting better and better and the parents were very excited,” said Band Director Brian Toth. “They’ve seen the benefit of all their hard work.

The band, which is made up of students in eighth through 12^th grade, didn’t start its competition season until Oct. 1, but has been performing since Sept. 9 at sporting and other events. The result is that the season can sometimes drag on for the musicians.

“We go particularly long before we get to a competition,” said Toth. “It really starts to wear on them because they’re not getting any feedback from people other than me or the staff.”

This is Toth’s first year directing the band, and after five years working in South Brunswick, he says he has been nothing but impressed with the musicians talent and work ethic.

“This is my first time getting a major program, and everyone has made the transition work, they’ve responded well,” he said.

Perhaps that’s because most band students are in it for more than just the music, but for the friends they make and because they enjoy seeing their hard work pay off.

“I did it for the same reason they do, to perform in front of a crowd and for the camaraderie,” said Toth.