West Orange HS Marching Band Will Hold ‘Preview Night’ For Public

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The award-winning West Orange High School Marching Mountaineers are ready to take the field for 2026, and the entire West Orange community is invited to get the first look.

The Marching Mountaineers will host their annual Preview Night on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Suriano Stadium. Admission is free, and while West Orange students and families are especially encouraged to attend and meet members of the program, the event is open to the entire community.

This year's production, "The Strength to Rise," takes audiences on a journey up a frozen mountain, where courage, strength and determination are tested at every step. As the climb toward the summit continues, an avalanche strikes, threatening to bury everything in its path. What follows is a story of survival, resilience and the perseverance to rise again when everything falls apart.

Featuring music by Timothy Mahr, Jim Casella and David Gillingham, the production will combine music, movement, percussion and color guard into the type of intricate field performance that has become a hallmark of the Marching Mountaineers. With more than 100 members, the band is West Orange High School's largest co-curricular activity and has earned a reputation as one of the Northeast's premier marching programs.

"Preview Night gives our students the opportunity to share the beginning of something they've worked incredibly hard to build together," said Director of Bands Lewis Kelly. "The message behind The Strength to Rise is especially meaningful. It's about what happens when you're challenged, when things don't go as planned, and finding the strength to keep moving forward. We can't wait to share it with the West Orange community."

The preview marks the beginning of a busy fall for the Marching Mountaineers, who will perform at West Orange football games, competitions and community events throughout the season. Their first competition is scheduled for September 19 at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, followed by additional performances leading into the 13th Annual West Orange Marching Band Invitational on October 10 at WOHS.

Marching Band Preview Night

• Thursday, September 10, 2026
• 7:00–7:30 p.m.
• Suriano Stadium at West Orange High School
• Free and open to the entire community

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