Triton Band Boosters Back Before Board

RUNNEMEDE—The pop culture idiom “and the band played on” has become something of a local anthem for Triton Regional High School students and parents, who over these past few weeks have loudly shown they refuse to see their music program silenced.

For a second time this month, they filled the high school library here at Triton Thursday night for a Black Horse Pike Regional School District (BHPRSD) board meeting, though managing some time in between to earn a first-place finish at the NJ State American Legion Parade in Wildwood.

They received remarks from elected officials that came as close to closure as they may see, that despite a 25 percent cut in funding which was part of across-the-board line item decreases, the board was prepared to work with them at every turn to ensure there is a viable future for the marching band. 

“The band is a family,” said BHPRSD board President Joyce Ellis. “And you don’t do away with family.”

As concerned citizens explained, what they are trying to preserve is not just the students’ ability to play instruments together, but continue a rich tradition of an award-winning competitive program.

It is a program that has no second- or third-string kids waiting on the bench to be called up, but equally important parts of a whole who function as a unit both on and off the field, according to parent Jeff Reese.

“Both of my children went through the program and were honor students, partly because of it,” Reese said. “Marching band was the thread that ran through everything.”

Rosemary Lamiotte has three children in the music program currently, and all have been able to blossom under the pressure, she said, while making friends for a lifetime.

“It has taught them something. It has taught them responsibility,” Lamiotte said. “And every weekend (this summer), morning, noon and night they will be working their butts off.”

Peaking at $132,000 in 2009-10, district bands will now be working with $77,000 to operate, including the high cost of travel. However, the Triton Music Association has already ramped up its efforts to make up the difference, according to TMA President Ray Evans.

“In less than two weeks we have raised $2,000 toward the sum of money we need,” Evans said. “This is not a program that is failing ... it just needs a little stroking.”

Highland Regional High School may not fare so well, as it was stated by several parents that their marching band and color guard could be significantly decreased if not eliminated altogether. The board responded that no decision has been finalized.

While funding has become a major concern, at the same time it has become clear that the music program has before it some daunting issues with recruiting new members.

In a world of Glee and Lady Gaga, it may not be where modern children’s interests lie, explained the district supervisor of math and music, Mary-Alice Baratta. 

In what would be his last address as an employee of the district, soon-to-retire Highland principal Frank Palatucci commented that Gloucester Township simply needs a functioning music program at the primary level to garner the interest of potential young musicians.

“We do not have the influx of prepared students coming into the schools,” Palatucci, a music aficionado himself, said during the meeting. “It doesn’t exist. It hasn’t existed in 19 years.”

Parents painted a picture of music teachers like Robert Adams having to approach freshman students in the high school cafeteria in order to recruit members. With such little training, the results have been remarkable.

BHPRSD has produced a champion in the multi-state Tournament of Bands competition nine times in the past 11 years. 

 “We are not going to let this die on the vine,” said board Vice President Kevin Bucceroni. “If you are going to work with us, we will be more than willing to work with you.”

Even though the lockers have all been emptied and the final bell has tolled, many ears remain perked for the sound of music.