The Trip to Annapolis —
May 7-9, 1999

Friday — Travel Day

Nothing brings a marching band together like a long bus trip. After an immensely successful Spring Concert the night before, the Secaucus High School Marching Band left early Friday morning, May 7, for Baltimore, Maryland. The four-hour bus ride was punctuated by rain, sleep, laughter, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, myriad music coming from Discmen and cassette players, and 8th grader Matt Meyer's continuous lounge act of bad 80's music and "Roll Out the Barrel".

After arriving at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, a collection of shops, sights, and an aquarium, the group quickly fractured and spent the afternoon seeing the sights and eating lunch at places such as the Hard Rock Cafe.

Friday night led a well-dressed band to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, to see the Naval Academy Band. The evening was accentuated by seniors Michele "Michael" Chan on snare drum and saxophonist "Big" Nick Farinola joining the band for the song "National Emblem".

An unexpectedly varied repertoire included percussionist/singer Kari Astrid Haugeto singing "Why Haven't I Heard from You", which stirred the crowd into a standing ovation, and an incredible version of John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever", with a jaw-dropping piccolo duet.  It was a stirring and motivational warm-up for the band's performance of the same song the next day.

Saturday — Parade Day

An early-morning wake up call, followed by a mediocre continental breakfast at the hotel, brought the band to Crofton, MD for the parade competition. The Marching Patriots, formerly from Secaucus and Hasbrouck Heights and now from Metuchen, would later receive an "Excellent" rating for their efforts.

The rest of the day was spent at Annapolis' touristy harbor. Trombonist Kent Kalogera was displeased with lunch at Mangia's because it took too long. The day completed with a boat tour of the Harbor, complete with boring narration.

The evening was spent at an awards dinner-dance, at which the band received a plaque commemorating their "Excellent" performance in the parade.

"Cheek Chillers" — Anthony Gerbasio's explanation of water rides.

"So, where to, nipples"? — Mr. Sonnett to Luke

"I don't know, Brow". — Luke to Mr. Sonnett

Sunday — Mother's Day

With most Mothers spending the day at home without their children, the band spent the day at Virginia's King's Dominion amusement park.

It was an excellent way to end an excellent weekend, and a worthy reward for all of the hard work by staff, band parents, and students.

The trip concluded with a long bus ride home. The band finally returned to Secaucus at 1 a.m., tired but full of smiles.