Noteworthy Accomplishment

By Darleen Sanford
Posted: August 27, 2008

Have you been trying to keep up with musically talented River Hill High students Kendra Orcutt, ’08 (trumpet), Evan Berry, ’09 (trumpet), Mark Mangus, ’09 (tuba) and Mike McNeill, ’10 (baritone) as they traveled with the Jersey Surf this summer?

After a grueling schedule of practice, practice, practice, performances, parades and competitions, they were ready for National Drum Corp competition earlier this month. Top scores came in very close, but our guys managed to hang in there for a Bronze Medal. The final standings were: 1. Santa Clara Vanguard Cadets (Santa Clara, Calif.), 96.852; 2. Blue Devils (Concord, Calif.), 96.775; 3. Jersey Surf (Camden, N.J.), 96.050.

This accomplishment required a great deal of dedicated effort on the part of students, parents and other volunteers with Drum Corps International. It also speaks well of River Hill Band Director Joe Fischer. The three boys are back on the field marching with the River Hill band under his expert tutelage.

Bravo! Well done. Congratulations!

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