New Bedford High School’s 30th Annual Band Competition

On Saturday, October 3 at 6:00 p.m., New Bedford High School’s Whaler Marching Band will host bands from across New England for its 30th Annual Competition.

In addition to attending a New Bedford High School band performance, spectators will also enjoy performances by the combined middle school bands of students from Roosevelt Middle School, Keith Middle School, Normandin Middle School, as well as Ford Middle School in Acushnet.

New Bedford High School’s music program has continued a meteoric rise, more than doubling in size from its ranks six years ago and performs in more than 25 competitions a year.

The Whaler Marching Band will host friendly competition from local high schools: Wareham High, B.M.C. Durfee High of Fall River, North Middlesex High, Falmouth High, and Joseph Case High of Swansea.

Several band members commented on the sense of community and working together as a team in reflecting on the upcoming competition.

“The great thing about Home Competition is that instead of traveling around and being the visitors at other venues, we get to host other bands and show them that New Bedford really is a beautiful city, and this is where we come from,” said senior Olivia Marques. “As a band, we are so proud of our city, and this is our opportunity to bring a great event into our hometown and showcase the amazing talents of our students.”

Said junior Max Pacheco, “Our home show is a fantastic experience because having our friends, family and community come out to support us makes all of the hard work worthwhile. The opportunity to share our hard work with the community and try to affect others with our music is something really special.”

Junior Carina Borges said, “We’re on our home turf, and we embrace it. When we perform, you feel the rush.”

NBHS Band Director Eric Drew said this year’s show will be one to remember.

“Our band students are putting their spectacular work ethic to great use, and their improvement is obvious to everyone who has heard the band,” Mr. Drew said. “This year’s show is called ‘Another Story Must Begin…’ using the music of Les Miserables. Twenty-five years ago, NBHS did a show based on this same music; our show is different, but it reflects our history and our tradition. I hope the whole community can join us this weekend and help us celebrate the incredible work, improvement, and success of our students, our band, and our school here at New Bedford High.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming the whole community here to New Bedford High School to watch the exceptionally talented students of our school perform,” said Headmaster Bernadette Coelho.

The 30th Annual Band Competition begins at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3 at McCoy Field, 70 Hathaway Boulevard, New Bedford. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens.

In case of severe weather, the competition will be held in the New Bedford High School gymnasium, 230 Hathaway Boulevard