SLIDESHOW: High School District Comes Together For Marching Band Festival [VIDEO]

The air at the Howell High School football field on Tuesday had all the feeling of a big halftime show under the Friday night lights with one considerable exception. Unlike the football games, the marching bands who took the field were the stars of the night at the annual Freehold Regional High School District Marching Band Festival.

Six schools were represented on the night including the hosting Rebels, the Braves of Manalapan High School, the Patriots of Freehold Township, the Colonials of Freehold Borough, the Mustangs of Marlboro, and the Cougars from Colts Neck. Unlike other events where the bands were competing for the best score and the best finish, Tuesday's gathering was a chance for everyone to come together and share their talents with their peers.

Over the course of the evening the students showed how skilled they were whether as musicians or dancers playing a wide variety of music. The Manalapan squad showed just how diverse their musical selection is playing everything from Michael Bolton and Percy Sledge to Lady Gaga during their show opening set. The Freehold Boro group played more Latin music while the other schools looked to Hollywood for their inspiration.

Marlboro proved to be one of the strongest troops of the night with their performance of various Beatles songs while Colts Neck played songs inspired by the Blues Brothers. Freehold Township went with a more traditional arrangement playing songs from the Fiddler on the Roof while the home team Rebels did their best to pay tribute to the late Ray Charles.  

Playing in front of their family, friends and rivals it was clear that a good time was had by all as the marching band season like their football partners starts to wind down.