The Cicely Tyson School Marching
Band has been invited to march in the Orange High School
Homecoming Day Parade.
The East Orange Band is first in
the parade because they have to also play for the football game
in West Orange between Seton Hall Prep and the East Orange
Jaguars. Here band director Frederick Goode (far left) marches
them past the historic First Presbyterian Church in
Orange.
In the future, this photo will be
a historic reminder of the good old days of low gasoline prices,
but for now, the band gets ready to play as they approach the
review stand set up on the lawn of the Orange Elks Club. Drum
instructor Rasheem Franklin (far left) helps to keep them lined
up and cues his drummers when to begin playing.
The drummers at the rear of the
formation provide the beat for the band, but the beat contains
information that lets every band member know what is about to
happen.
After marching in
the parade, the Cicely Tyson Marching Band reassembles in a
parking lot near Bell Stadium to board the bus back to CTS in
East Orange, before heading back out to the football game in West
Orange. This will be a busy day for them! Those photos and videos from the
Football Game are HERE.
Meanwhile, the Homecoming Day Prade continues,
as the Orange Middle School just marches past the reviewing stand
that has been set up on the lawn of the Orange Elks Club.
Orange Middle School doesn't have a band, but
they do have a small drum section that keeps them on beat.
Each of the elementary schools from Orange are
represented in the parade, as well as all the football teams from
the recreation department units around the city. In the above
photo we see the Orange Cougars from Central Elementaty and their
mascot, followed by Forest Street School.
If the school didn't have children marching in
the parade, they had a contingent of parents and teachers to
represent them, such as this group from the Cleveland Street
Elementary School in Orange.
Next comes the rival school, Central High School
from Newark, NJ. Their football team will be playing against
Orange High School in today's Homecoming Game at Bell Stadium in
Orange, but for now the rivalry is friendly and just between
bands and color guards.
The Newark Central High School Band is very
small, and they march past the reviewing stand without playing.
Band Director, Mr. Moore, walks beside them in the parade. They
seem to realize that they will be no match for what's about to
follow from the Orange High School Band.
But first, more of Orange's pee-wee Football
Teams come marching by the reviewing stand. Each of the teams
goes into a huddle and then runs a quick "play" to show
their skills to the cheering crowd.
At last comes the band this Orange crowd has
been waiting for, their own Tornadoes Marching Band from Orange
High School. Mrs. Paula Smith, band director, is in front of the
flag with her back to the camera as she gives all her attention
to her marching band.
The Orange High School Marching Band makes a
pretty sight with their color guards and snappy uniforms, but can
they play?
And with that, the band marches on to Bell
Stadium where they will play at half-time for the Homecoming Game
with Central High School of Newark. For me, the parade is over
because I have to rush to find the Cicely Tyson Band before they
head off for their own football game. You
can follow us HERE.
