BRICK – Members of the Brick Township High School Marching Dragons have been flying high this year. They are seen at football games, home and away and put in as much time practicing than any sports team at the school.
The Dragons were recently recognized during a recent township council meeting where they received a proclamation. Parents were present to cheer them on as well. Mary Kaminski was there and she is among the band parents who have watched the Dragons soar this season.
She noted with pride that the band members get a lot of support from “their directors and parents who make props, load and unload equipment, feed them, clean their uniforms, provide drinks and snacks and just support and cheer them on.”
“I have had kids in other sports and I always say these kids are just a different breed of kids,” Kaminski added. “They had an undefeated season this year with their show called What Lurks in the Dark.”
Kaminski said, “they won all their competitions including regionals at Toms River High School North on October 19 and State competition at Toms River High School East on October 25. Never before in the school’s history has this happened. They also won a competition at Hershey Park on November 1, called ACCs – Atlantic Coast Championship – with a highest score the school ever received with a 95.5.”
“They perform in the school, in the halls during certain times and perform on the corners when having car washes to raise money. They also play at the school’s craft show in December. Band members practice 12 hours a day during the summer for two weeks at band camp,” she added.
During the camp, the band members are outside in hot weather, cold weather and even misty rain. They drag their equipment outside and back in every practice and help their parents load and unload the trailer for competitions.
The band’s Dragon Master, also known as Band Director Christian Negri will be passing the baton to a new leader after serving as band director for five years. He told The Brick Times “Before that I was percussion instructor for two years and assistant director for four years so a total of 11 years with the band.”
“I’m 31 and it’s more of a coaching position in addition to my full-time job. I graduated from Brick Township High School and was a member of this band. I owe a lot to it. Without the Marching Dragons, it is hard to see myself having the work ethic or diligence that allowed me to direct,” he added.
Negri noted, “This activity brings out some of the best qualities in each student, and it is incredibly rewarding to see what they do with that. I will miss being a part of that, and being able to give back to this group what it gave me. after 11 years.”
Kaminski’s son Andrew is a baritone sax player who joined the band because he wanted “to try something different in middle school and I heard it was a good way to make friends while playing music.”
Fellow band member Addison Gerhard a Senior Color Guard Captain joined the color guard “in order to have something in common with my sisters and follow in their footsteps. This band has come so far and even through countless days of hard work, this tight knit family of peers has made my love for the activity grow tremendously.”
The band enjoyed a trip to New York City in March and were able to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. They have a trip scheduled on May 30 to Hershey Park.
The marching season and football game season is over for some while others continue to do indoor performances. There is also a jazz band and concert band which go all year long. The jazz band is actually having some competitions and the concert band does a winter and spring concert. They also perform during the graduation commencement ceremony.
“These kids practice countless hours,” Kaminski said.
She noted that the band members’ practice before they compete, they bring their equipment outside and then they help the caravan parents load it onto the trailer.
“Once we arrive, they help unload and then they practice some more and once they perform, they help the caravan parents load back up and then once back at the school unload the trailer and equipment/uniforms back into the school,” she said.
Kaminski remarked, “they never complain, they all have jobs, they know what to do and it gets done. As a parent watching these kids grow and feel like they belong someplace, it is really amazing. At senior dinner, the seniors get up and speak about their experience in band. To see these kids who are afraid to talk get up and say how band has given them confidence and friends and a place to fit in.”
“Unless your kid is in band you don’t really know just what it entails. There are monthly meetings, fundraisers, pit crew for football games and comps, help make props, feed them, and encourage them and root for them and we are there on comp days for 8-10 hours as well,” she added.
“It’s a lot of work and time but it is very rewarding and to be able to spend that time and experience all this with your child is so worth it. Their season this year was the best ever,” she added.
