THE HORN LINE of the Marching Hornets performs at the town’s annual Veterans’ Day ceremony on the town common Nov. 11. The band has grown to 48 members and has won numerous awards this fall. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

 

By ALLIE HASTINGS

NORTH READING — The NRHS Marching Hornets are wearing their school colors with pride after closing out on a successful competitive season.

This fall, the Marching Hornets program was called “Don’t Look Back,” with musical themes tied to the mythological figures of Orpheus and Eurydice and the musical “Hadestown.” The band –which is currently comprised of 48 students – hosted North Reading’s very own marching band competition judged by MICCA on October 10, where they received a 3 out of 5-star overall rating.

Later in the month, the Marching Hornets performed at MICCA Wakefield and then at MICCA finals in Quincy, where they received 4 stars in Percussion and 3 stars in Effect, Visual, Music and Color Guard.

Practice makes perfect, as students were able to take home a gold medal at the NESBA finals in Reading on October 31, earning a score of 87.3 and a 4th place divisional spot in Percussion and Color Guard.

According to Director Ben Owens, who has been leading the Marching Hornets since the fall of 2018, the band worked really hard that last week of the season, causing the show to improve dramatically. Given all of the limitations that COVID-19 has posed on clubs and activities, Owens recognizes that their time together has been a collective learning experience.

“The last few years have really been about learning and re-learning (post pandemic) how to do marching band. From the rehearsal process, to new instruments, memorizing music and marching…[the students] have grown tremendously in all of those aspects and I think they still need to continue to grow in all of those aspects as well,” he expressed.

Over the last few months, Owens collaborated with show designers Dan Muse and James Fortier to find new and creative ways that students could thrive out on the field. He is grateful for the help of Drum Majors Wesley Fisher and Angelina Palazzolo and section leaders Taleen Toby, Jack Foley, Harley Duffley, Shane Hanson, and Christian DaCosta for their assistance in keeping the band a tight-knit unit.

 

ALL SMILES HERE! The Marching Hornets celebrate their gold medal-winning performance at the NESBA finals held at Reading Memorial High School. (Robin Palazzolo photo)

 

“They were all instrumental in getting so many freshmen on board and understanding everything as well as being positive role models musically and visually on and off the field,” said Owens.

Apart from marching band, Owens encourages his students to get involved in as much as they can. Over the last two years, North Reading musicians have participated in the woodwind choir, winter percussion, Drum and Bugle Corps, the Wakefield Summer Band, and various parade bands in the local area. A few students are now auditioning for Junior and Senior Districts, and Drum Major Wesley Fisher is gearing up to play in the pit for Masquers’ upcoming production of “Newsies, The Musical.”

Uniform fundraiser

As the winter season approaches, the Marching Hornets are transitioning into concert band mode, preparing festive holiday tunes for their first concert on Tuesday, December 21.

The band is also currently fundraising alongside the North Reading Music Boosters to raise enough funds for new uniforms, which should arrive within the next year.

They need to raise approximately $20,000 for the uniforms and any donation is greatly appreciated, as the money will go towards next year’s marching outfits.

Those who would like to support the Music Boosters may contact Ben Owens at bowens@nrpsk12.org or the North Reading Music Boosters President Katherine Foley. Checks made out to the NR Music Boosters will be accepted.