Lenape High School has a reason to celebrate.
The Lenape Seniors marching band has won the 2011 USSBA Group 2A NJ state championship.
Steve Waldron, a music teacher at the school for 15 years and marching band director for 11, is beaming with pride.
“The kids have done a great job and it’s another banner year for the program,” Waldron said, noting the band practiced very hard.
“Our expectations are very high for the students,” he said. “We make sure that it’s very clear in the beginning of the season that hard work will lead to success.
“I never promise the students a championship,” Waldron added. “They have to earn it.”
Because band competitions are typically subjective, the director said you never know what the outcome will be.
“If we dot our Is, cross all our Ts we at least have one swing at the piñata,” Waldron said.
The band members practice for three hours twice a week after school, play Friday night football games, compete on Saturday, and participate in parades.
“It’s a huge time commitment for the kids,” Waldron said, noting students’ and parents’ dedication makes all the difference.
The band was undefeated this season and took first place in every competition. Waldron said he is grateful to have students who care as much as he does about the band.
The philosophy of program is made up of three pillars: entertain the crowd, do it at a high level of excellence, and have a great time.
“If we can accomplish those three goals then we’re successful,” Waldron said. “Winning a state championship is just icing on the cake.”
He said the best feeling is when you walk off the field and people are cheering and telling you what a great job you did.
“To have the judges at that level at the state championship where you have the best bands all competing against each other tell you ‘You are the best of all of them out there’ is worth all the hard work,” Waldron said. “It all gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
The United States Scholastic Bands Association (USSBA) covers a region from Massachusetts to Virginia. Groups are assigned to schools based on number of students in the program.
At Lenape, 53 students — all from Mount Laurel — participated this year.
The school accepts anyone into the program — no one is cut — and the band leaders will teach instruments if necessary.
Having won seven of last eight years, Waldron said Lenape is on a hot streak.
“It’s overwhelming how successful we’ve been,” he said.
Waldron said he starts putting show concepts as early as winter.
“The challenge is to try to keep the program at the highest level of consistency,” he said.
Seeing the excitement on students’ faces is very rewarding.
“They bring a lot of joy to my life,” Waldron said. “They give me just as much if not more than what I give them.”
Senior Priya Patel, who has been with the marching band since freshman year, is the drum major.
“You realize that all those hours you put in sweating and freezing are worth it in the end,” she said. “It’s really fun to put on a great show.”
Patel said she joined because a friend suggested it.
The hardest part is reaching perfection, which she said is demanded by the staff.
“We have the desire to do well,” Patel said.
