New Bedford High School Marching Band to debut new uniforms at band competition

New Bedford High School Whaler Marching Band will host bands from across New England this weekend at the 32nd Annual New England Scholastic Band Association Invitational Competition, Sunday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. at McCoy Field on the New Bedford High School campus. Admission: $10; students and seniors: $8. Proceeds support, in part, the Whaler Marching Band Program.

The Whalers will be in top form as they debut their new marching band uniforms, which were made possible through the combined efforts of the New Bedford High School Band Boosters and New Bedford Public Schools.

The Whaler Marching Band, which includes instrumentalists and color guard members, will be performing their field show titled “The Weight of the World.” This event will be the first home competition display of the uniforms, which Band Director Matthew Pacheco notes “represent a new era for the NBHS Whaler Marching Band. We are so excited to premiere them for our home crowd for the very first time! The support we have received from our school, district, and community has been tremendous. We are proud to build on the legacy of this program and continue to bring pride to New Bedford! The previous uniforms were worn from 1999-2017 school years.”

Drum Major Leah Leahy emphasizes that “our previous uniforms were worn by generations of people who today are established in the community and committed to our program. They include parents, grandparents, teachers, alumni, and many more. Our new uniforms really symbolize how our program has evolved, and what the band means to us. All of the Whalers are extremely excited to share our journey with the public through our show this weekend.”

Senior Student Leader Sarah Fernandes continues “the new uniforms add such an amazing touch to this year’s program. It’s exciting to see the whole new look and know it will enhance our performances for years to come!”

Summing up the sentiments, Senior Percussionist Kamal Ritter says “from our jackets, gauntlets, shoes, to every other piece of our new uniforms, the New Bedford Whaler Marching Band will continue to ingrain our sense of school spirit and pride in the community. In is an honor in my senior year to be a part of a new page in our band’s history and show what it means to be a proud member of this ensemble.”

In addition to hearing the NBHS Marching Band, spectators will enjoy the sights and sounds of area marching bands including: Attleboro HS, Bridgewater-Raynham HS, Lunenburg HS, Somerset-Berkley HS, Falmouth HS, Plymouth HS, and Dartmouth HS as they take part in this New England Scholastic Band Association sanctioned event.

For more information on this and other New Bedford Public Schools Fine Arts events contact Lynn Souza at 508-997-4511 ex. 3352 or lsouza@newbedfordschools.org