Nutley's Last Marching Competition Before States

Nutley’s marching band is one of the most successful groups in Nutley High School. This past October, the hard-working group traveled to Vernon Township High School on Saturday for their last competition before their ultimate state championship. 

Vincenza Gabriele, a first-year flute section leader, sits back in her seat and chats with her best friend. They laugh and joke about things only the two of them would understand. Her phone camera acts as a mirror as she blinks on purple mascara, cautious of any bumps the bus may drive over. One ear is occupied with an AirPod as she blasts upbeat pop music, only partially drowning out the sounds of other chatting peers. 

Gabriele has been a proud member of Nutley’s marching band since her freshman year in 2021. Her first-ever field show was Sideshow, directed by Vincent Vicciarello, Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts/Career and Technical Education, 7-12.

Despite this being her senior year, Gabriele said she felt neither anxiety nor tension toward this competition. “It felt pretty low stakes on the bus, actually,” Gabriele said. Despite this, she said she was particularly excited about it, as she had been sitting out during past rehearsals because of her inflamed lungs from a recent cold. Gabriele expressed a fondness for competing and the band overall. “It’s honestly a really blood-pumping experience, even after four years, I never get used to how much adrenaline I feel on the field.” Said Gabriele. 

During the ride there, Gabriele closed her eyes and reflected on herself, her section, and her personal goals concerning the upcoming performance. Deep down, Gabriele said, she felt a pang of bittersweetness as this was the last normal competition with this specific group before the end of the season neared. 

So far, Nutley's 2024 marching season has been one of victory and success. Since the beginning of the fall season, Nutley students have been no strangers to first-place results in competitions. Fortunately, the Vernon Township High School competition was no different for the Nutley band members. With a total score of 87.800, four caption awards, and best band director, Nutley High placed first once again. 

Vincent Vicciarello, NHS band director for five years, says this season's group has made him especially proud. However, Vicciarello claims his gratitude for this band is rooted deeper than the many wins they have received. 

After returning from his long absence due to his promotion to supervisor for fine and performing arts, Vicciarello claimed coming back was not easy. Due to his becoming supervisor, he juggled two separate schedules and ultimately left his position teaching to better adjust to his new job in the school which he found to be a struggle to manage. “Marching band felt fulfilling to come back to at the end of the day, and coming back to teaching and directing was like relearning to ride a bike; it comes back to you naturally.” 

He explained that the kids quickly adjusted to his return and did spectacularly helping him ease back into the band, along with the staff, whom he claims he couldn’t do without. Vicciarello said that the band members are resilient and focused and that, with them, no practice is a bad one. Every rehearsal leading up to Vernon was well spent and paid off in correlation to their winning placement, according to Vicciarello. Additionally, he believes that the students are persistent, independent, and incredible performers. 

Under the hot beaming sun, Vicciarello watched this year’s show with a keen eye. He observed for any minor mistakes that could be made and individual performance, additionally, he tasks himself with watching closely over other competing bands. 

After the performance, band members with burning red faces and limbs laughed and talked as they waited for their rewards on cold metal bleachers. Junior Veronica Daniels, one of the front ensemble section leaders, sat with friends and anticipated the thrill of finding out who had won the competition. 

Daniels explained that the band should be very proud of themselves this season; she acknowledged the time and energy spent on this show and the high spirits the band expressed. “We’ve worked so hard over the past few months, and I think that it worked out in the long run,” Daniels said. Since the first month of summer break, students have met to piece together what is now popularly known as their field show, Hexed. 

She also highlighted the chaos of the morning prior to the competition, “The morning of a competition is always really crazy.” Band members scramble to change into white and maroon uniforms, careful not to stain or dirty them in the process. Mirrors and makeup from the guard are scattered across the floor, while loud booming music spills from a fellow member’s phone. 

Daniels believed this group should be incredibly proud of themselves, as the work they have put out over these past few months has been the result of determination and resilience. She recognized both the mental and physical strength that had been put into the Vernon competition and overall season. 

After the competition, whooping and chanting students flooded both yellow school buses as they celebrated their win at Vernon Township for their 2024 show. The winning performers sunk into their seats on the return trip home as the sky turned dark and the evening air turned cold.