By Lori Rowan
The Manhasset Indian Marching Band and Color Guard had a wonderful 2018 marching band season. This season featured music, marching and flag spinning from the movie The Terminator, one of the most iconic sci-fi movies of the 20th century. The MHS Band performed in seven competitions from September through November. When they weren’t competing, they could be found practicing, often on the front lawn of the school or the football field, on weekends and evenings. The band also played in the Homecoming Parade, at halftime for many Manhasset football games and hosted its own competition which featured several high school bands from across the area.
It comes as no surprise that this year Manhasset won the New York State Championship in their Division. This is the ninth year in a row the band has been honored as New York State Champs. The impeccable work-ethic and discipline of the students, led by drum majors Elizabeth Rutkovski and Fred Chu, coupled with the dedication of the music teachers Randy Knudsen, Hector Minaya, David Van Boxel and Sandra Baskin, is the driving forces behind their continuous success.
After competing in the National Competition in Pennsylvania, the season officially ended, but the band continues to be active, playing at school events, marching in Manhasset’s Memorial Day Parade and performing at the Memorial Day Ceremony held at the school. The most anticipated event is the annual Marching Band Brunch, where the students, parents and teachers gather to reminisce about the season and the theme for next year’s season is announced.
Stay tuned for more great things from the Manhasset Marching Band and Color Guard as they unveil their program for the 2018-19 season featuring songs from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. Congratulations and best of luck to the graduating seniors Fred Chu, William Peng, Troy Beattie, Calvin He, Sophia Tashjian, Matthew Palmadessa, Stephen Lee, Grace D’Ariano, Elizabeth Rutkovsky and Serene Lee, many of whom have been in the band for four or five years.
