From the Students:

       The Ridgewood High School Marching Band experience has greatly affected me and my view of high school during my freshman year. During pre season training I made many friends and that alone made my transfer from middle school into high school feel a lot smoother. I also improved greatly on my trumpet this past summer. I made so many self-improvements that it is worth it for me to continue being in the marching band.
       During pre-season training, we trained through the hard rain or “Water Survival Training” as our band director, James has called it. It is true that the rain slowed us down a bit, but we still were able to have fun with new and old friends. It also boosted our spirit, enabling us to go to Giants Stadium many other competitions. There isn’t any experience similar to a marching band performance.
       The show gave me a huge adrenaline rush that made me proud of what we have worked so hard to achieve. We all followed the concepts of Pride, Respect, Leadership, Trust, and Unity. It was also fun helping friends unload the truck. The Esprit De Corps award was also another achievement that the marching band and I are proud of. The marching band continues to be an inspiration to me.
                                                                   -Andrew Khoo
                                                           RHS Class of 2010

       My name is Courtney. If you're from G.W. you might remember me as the freshman that visited and talked to you guys about marching band; well I'm back to tell you, and everyone else that hasn't met me yet, more about it. Don't worry, you'll meet me eventually, or as my friends would joke: do worry. When I first joined marching band it was another excuse to hang out with friends. I knew we would be spending a lot of time in preseason training (band camp), practices, games, competitions, etc. together. But what I didn't know was that we would be spending a lot more time than that together. Nor did I know that I would make so many more friends. It's really a great feeling to walk down the hall on the first day of school and know so many more sophomores, juniors, and seniors than most freshmen would. It also really helps when you get lost, I'd know. Although marching band is over (it's only in the fall) friendships that are made through this aren't.
       Last year I liked music, but I guess you could say "it wasn't very high up on my list of important things in life". From the first to the last times I stepped onto the field I was surrounded by people that also either liked or loved music. And because of this, little by little music transformed into something totally different, and I grew to appreciate and love it. Probably because of marching band I am so much more serious about music and with out it I probably wouldn't have auditioned for wind ensemble (nor made it). Ok small bragging moment there. Even so, because of marching band I have made countless friendships, loved the flute more, and have inside jokes to prove it. Do you know who the POFAS are? What about Heyzer cheese? The man eating cloud? No? I didn't think so. That’s why (I personally think) you should join marching band, trust me, you'll love it.
                                                        - Courtney Ayukawa
                                                           RHS Class of 2010

       Deciding to participate in the RHS Marching Band greatly impacted my freshman year of high school. I had no idea what to expect when I dove head first into this experience of a lifetime. Everyone welcomed me into the band and into high school with open arms; everyone was ready to help me with any and every problem I was faced with. At preseason camp you look around you and see a hundred other people all in this with you and you realize that you aren't just a team, you're a family.
       This past November as we all marched onto the field at J. Birney Crum Stadium, we all had the same expression on our faces. We all knew that this is what we have been working so hard for since August. At the end of the night, it did all pay of when we had the honor of receiving the Marines Esprit de Corps award. It is an honor and a pleasure to be apart of this organization and to be able to share this experience of a lifetime with my fellow peers. I hope that you decide to join us for the 2007-2008 marching band season, you won't regret it
                                                                - Elizabeth Brito
                                                           RHS Class of 2010

       After four years of participation in the RHS Marching Band, I can honestly say that it was the single greatest decision I have made. I have learned many things that I never appreciated before including leadership, hard work, and dedication. Words alone cannot describe the experience I have had. Although regarded as one of the finest marching bands in the eastern United States, the band is about more than music. I have made friends through the band that I will never forget and who I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life. The band also gives one a feeling of belonging. In a large school such as RHS, it is very easy to blend into the masses. The marching band also provides an outlet for RHS’ best and brightest to shine. If given another opportunity to participate in such a fine organization, I would do so in a heartbeat.
                                              - John Marzabadi, baritone
                                                           RHS Class of 2006

       I joined Marching Band in my sophomore year hesitantly, but after my first season with the talented, welcoming, and fun group of peers and staff, I was hooked. At the end of that season, I successfully auditioned for the position of Field Captain, later to become the Drum Major – the first in command – of the band. Next to actually joining Marching Band, my decision to audition for this position has been the most rewarding of my high school career. Now that I have completed my final season, I can look back across my years in school and realize that some of my best memories, achievements, and learning experiences have been with this amazing group of kids. I have experienced the value of hard work, commitment, and discipline. I have learned from the intense pressure and criticism of others. I have learned to be confident in myself and in my abilities. And I have made many great friends along the way.
                       - Lendon Ebbels, Drum Major, trombone
                                                           RHS Class of 2006

       Looking back at the last four years of high school, the one activity that stands out the most is marching band.  Coming into the high school, I was nervous about joining the group, and was weary that I wouldn’t fit in or be able to do what was asked of me.  As time went on, however, I soon realized that these thoughts were ridiculous.  Being in the marching band has helped me become who I am today.  As a scared freshman, it helped me make new friends, many of whom I now remain best friends with.  During my sophomore and junior years, I developed leadership skills as a section leader.  I learned how to work with others and deal with all sorts of situations.  This past year, as a senior, being a member of something so large and life-changing really helped put things in perspective.  As the four years passed, I had I of fun, but I never really stopped to realize what an impact this activity had had on my life.  Had I not been in the marching band, I definitely would not be able to work as well with other people or take a leadership role in certain situations.  The Ridgewood High School Marching Band is not solely about music; it’s an amazing learning experience that has taught me valuable life skills.
                                                                       - Eliza Ortiz
                                                           RHS Class of 2007