Council Rock North Marching Band Washes Cars For Hawaii

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Members of the Council Rock High School North Marching Band
traded their instruments for hoses, sponges and towels on Saturday during a car wash fundraiser for its spring trip to Hawaii.

Using a ton of elbow grease and expelling lots of energy, the kids, along with several parent volunteers and their band directors, washed and dried car after car rolling into the parking lot at the Newtown Ambulance Squad.

Many of the drivers expressed their appreciation by making generous donations to the band, which is looking to raise $16,000 this year towards its spring trip.

A handful of students stationed themselves out by Eagle Road where they waved signs to entice the passing traffic into the parking lot.

A few of them even broke out their instruments and began playing Europe’s, “The Final Countdown,” as cars rolled by. Even a bagpipe player joined the crew as a few spun flags through the air to bring attention to the car wash.

Standing next to the Newtown Ambulance Squad sign was this year’s drum major, Brielle Schilling, who plays the flute when she’s not leading the band.

“We’re getting a lot of people today. We’re actually backed up right now,” she said as a lineup of cars waited their turn at the car wash. “It’s a good problem to have,” she said.

“Everyone is super excited about this year, especially the trip,” she said. “Those who are seniors this year they have been waiting a long time for this. Everyone is super stoked.”

The band will open the new school year with a Preview Night on Wednesday, August 24 at Walt Snyder Stadium. Gates open at 7 p.m.

This year’s field show, “Unbridled,” is a play on words between unbridled joy and bridled horses. The three movements of the show tell the story about horses and their journey to freedom.

“It’s going to be a super cool program and we are very excited about it,” said Schilling, who is equally excited to lead the band this year as drum major.

She’s also excited to have the drum major’s mace back this year. The British mace had been misplaced for the past 10 years.

The Council Rock North Marching Band opens its season on Friday, August 26 at 6 p.m. at North’s first home football game against Wissahickon at Walt Snyder Stadium. You can also see the band in performance at all home and away football games.

Competition season begins in October with Cavalcades at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School on Oct. 1, Pennridge on Oct. 8, Upper Moreland on Oct. 15, William Tennent on Oct. 22, Abington on Oct. 29 and Hatboro-Horsham on Nov. 5.