Thursday March 31, 2022; 7pm

Tuesday March 22 – All Day!

Our next Dine to Donate to support the West Essex Band will be held at the Franklin Steakhouse at 318 Passaic Avenue in Fairfield. Come in for lunch or dinner, dine-in or take-out. The D2D is all day long! Show this flyer, or just mention the West Essex Band! (Applies to food sales only)

Competitive Season Kicks Off with 1st and 2nd Place Showings!

The West Essex Indoor Percussion Ensemble has made a strong showing with its 2022 performance, “A Work In Progress”. You wouldn’t know it was a work in progress, given the 1st and 2nd place wins at their first two competitions of the season! The show is fun, upbeat, and incorporates many unique features and visuals to catch your attention.

West Essex scored 71.25 for first place at Wayne Valley on February 26, followed by a second place score of 73.70 at Fair Lawn High School on March 5. Both competitions were part of the US Bands circuit. Next up – Bergenfield High School Competition on March 19. Good Luck Knights!

Students Take Regional and All-State Honors!

Six Musicians Placed in All-North Jersey Region; One Advances to All-State!

• James Humphrey, Senior – Wind Ensemble – Contra-Bass Clarinet
• Richard Li, Junior – Symphonic Band – 3rd Chair Trombone
• Jake Linnett, Junior – Symphonic Band – 2nd Chair Baritone Saxophone
• Gianna Lodato, Junior – Symphonic Band – 2nd Chair Percussion
• Andrew Marino, Senior – Wind Ensemble – 2nd Chair Mallets
• Dante Ragusa, Junior – Symphonic Band – 3rd Chair Tuba

We further congratulate senior Contra-Bass Clarinetist, James Humphrey, for placing in the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble! Following several days of rehearsals in Bridgewater and Atlantic City, James will perform with New Jersey’s best student musicians at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Saturday February 26, 2022.   West Essex Band students continue to shine, and the Band Boosters could not be more proud of them!  Congratulations to all! 

Eight West Essex High School Band Students place in North Jersey Area Band Ensembles

The West Essex High School Band Program is once again well represented in the 2022 North Jersey Area Band.  Eight students successfully auditioned and will be performing at the annual concert on Saturday January 15, 2020 at 2:00pm at Mount Olive High School.  The Wind Ensemble will be conducted by Dr. Christian Wilhjelm of the New Jersey Wind Symphony, while the Symphonic Band will be led by Mr. Kenneth Adessa of Mount Olive Middle School.

The West Essex Band Boosters congratulate the following students and all those who auditioned. We applaud your determination, drive and dedication! Click here for more information on North Jersey Area Band.

• Aidan Alberto, Sophomore – Wind Ensemble – Timpani
• Logan Bogumil, Junior – Symphonic Band – 3rd Chair Clarinet
• James Humphrey, Senior – Wind Ensemble – 1st Chair Bass Clarinet
• Aidan Leifer, Sophomore – Symphonic Band – 9th Chair Trumpet
• Jake Linnett, Junior – Symphonic Band – Baritone Saxophone
• Gianna Lodato, Junior – Wind Ensemble – 2nd Chair Percussion
• Andrew Marino, Senior – Wind Ensemble – 1st Chair Mallets
• Caroline McElhannon, Senior – Wind Ensemble – Piccolo

Tuesday, December 14 ~ All Day Long!

Come on out and Support the Band, while also supporting a favorite local restaurant! The Cloverleaf Tavern is hosting the next Dine to Donate in support of the West Essex High School Band Program. Come in for lunch or dinner – the D2D is all day long! Show this flyer, or just mention the West Essex Band!

You gotta eat, why not support the Band while you’re at it?

West Essex Marching Knight Performs with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band

Gianna Lodato, a junior percussionist in the West Essex High School Band will perform with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band in this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.  Gianna successfully auditioned earlier this year for a coveted spot in this elite ensemble of over 200 musicians, color guard and dancers from across the United States.  

Gianna will march among the world famous balloons, floats and celebrities that have made the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade a favorite annual tradition since 1924. This will not be Gianna’s first experience with the parade, however, as she has participated both in costume and as a float escort from 2015 through 2019.  Reflecting on her first time attending the parade, Gianna said, “I was captivated by the excitement of it and knew that I wanted to one day participate.” She carries on a family tradition in which her mother and grandmother have both participated in the parade – her grandmother as a parade clown in 1950.

Gianna also carries on a more recent West Essex tradition. “The Marching Bands have always been a highlight for me,” she said, “and Catherine’s [Marino] and Maddie’s [Rombough] past performances inspired me to audition for the band.”  Catherine and Maddie performed in 2017 and 2019, respectively, with Catherine playing Alto Saxophone, and Maddie playing Flute.

Mr. Eddie Griffin, West Essex High School Band Director, noted, “we are all very proud of Gianna to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have no doubt that she will be a phenomenal example of our West Essex community on our nation’s biggest stage. We congratulate Gianna and wish her the best of luck!”

Gianna will attend a week of intense rehearsals in New Jersey, as well as enjoy various NYC outings before marching down 6^th Avenue and taking the big stage in Herald Square on Thanksgiving morning.  “I feel honored (and a bit of pressure) to represent my state and my high school in such a renowned tradition. Being selected to participate in this all-star ensemble means the world to me, and I know that it is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life!”

The West Essex Band Boosters couldn’t agree more, and are very proud of Gianna!  We wish her the best of luck and will be looking out for her on Thanksgiving morning!

Senior Knights Celebrated As the 2021 Season Winds Down

We congratulate our Senior Marching Knights as a great season comes to a close! The West Essex Band Boosters thank you for your leadership and dedication to the Band!

Chapter Championship Marks the Final Competition for 2021

The Marching Knights left it all on the field at Sunday’s Tournament of Bands Chapter X Championships, securing 2nd Place with a score of 87.1. It’s been a great season and we congratulation all the Knights, Mr. Griffin and the staff in an outstanding return to the competitive field!

A BIG thank you to all the Band Parents who volunteered, chaired and donated in any way to make our home competition a huge success. We could not have asked for a better day and a smoother show – thanks to all who helped out! More pictures to come!

Place 2nd of 10 in their Group at the USBands Yamaha Cup

Congratulations to the Marching Knights, Mr. Griffin and Staff for an outstanding performance at MetLife Stadium on Saturday October 2, 2021!

The Knights scored 78.7, placing 2nd of 10 bands in their competitive group and 4th of 18 bands in Group 2A overall. Thanks to the Pit Crew for a great job moving equipment and props on the big stage!

A special shout out to our Custodial team and Equipment Trailer drivers for your never-ending support of the Marching Knights! You guys are the BEST!

Click here to visit our Photo Album for more pics!