1987 Marching Band from Ad Program

The Neshaminy High School Marching Band has 235 members, and is one of several instrumental music organizations at the high school. Other than the Marching Band, Neshaminy High School offers its instrumental music students: Concert Band. Symphonic Band, Concert Jazz Ensemble. Orchestra, and a competition Winter Guard. These performing organizations are responsible for over 60 performances each year in the school, community, and throughout the United States. They have received awards for their performances in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland. New York and Delaware.

These ensembles have been invited to play at such events as: The Cotton Bowl Parade in Texas. The Rose Bowl Parade in Pasedena, The Festival of Five Flags in Florida, two World Series Games and a Concert Band Per1ormance on the While House Lawn.

In 1976. and again in 1982, the band received the distinct honor of representing Bucks County and Pennsylvania during the week-long activities celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Ireland. J>.s musical ambassadors. the band was ceremoniously awarded the County and Federal Bicentennial Flags, personal letters from Governor Shapp, and the famous Limited Edition Bucks County Bicentennial Tile.

While in Ireland, the tradition of excellence in musical sound and precision marching was continued when the Marching Band won first-place honors in all three competition categories: (Best Band Front Best High School Band and Best Overall Per1orming Organization) during the International Competition in Limerick. Ireland. This feat was repeated in Dublin, Ireland, where we competed with over 50 bands From all over the world. It is believed that this is the first lime one band has been able to win all three categories in both competitions. For this honor, the band received nationwide coverage in the international news media, and was invited to perform at the Lord Mayor's Ball, where many foreign dignitaries were in attendance.

Televised performances of the band include: and NFL game in Veteran's Stadium. the opening game at the 1976 Philadelphia 76ers at the Spectrum. yearly performances at NBA regular season games since 1974, Jazz Band and Winter Guard per1ormances during several NBA playoff games, regular appearances at Veteran's Stadium for the Philadelphia Phillies home games, as well as special performances honoring Pete Rose's record-breaking 2ooth hit games honoring the Phillies tor winning their division, the 1980 opening game of the division playoffs. and the 1982 and 1984 ceremonial season home opener. Neshaminy Marching Band has performed tor the National League playoffs and at regular season games ever year since 1975. The band has also appeared on televised news programs several limes, twice as features on the band itself and also has been apart of two commercials - one tor J. W. Pepper and the other for the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 1977, the band was honored by the Senate of Pennsylvania tor "excellence in performance"and tor its "many outstanding achievements both home and abroad." In 1982, the House of Representatives also recognized the Band's many achievements. The Winter Guard was similarly honored the previous year by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Its "outstanding competitive performances." Also the Bucks County Commissioners declared March 11, 1984 "Neshaminy Band Day". The Marching Band has also been routinely recognized for meritorious achievements by both the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives in 1978, '80. '82 and again in '84. Also the Concert Jazz Band won the National Judges All Chapter Championship held in Wildwood New Jersey, while competing against schools representing the tri-state area.

In 1980 and again in 1982. the Marching Band was honored by the West Point Military Academy and was permitted to provide the half-time entertainment at a home Army football game.

During 1978, the band and orchestra performed throughout Portugal and in 1980 they exhibited their musical feats in Mexico City and Acapulco. All performances were by invitation of the Portuguese and Mexican Governments.

1984 brought a ten day performance tour of Hawaii. This extraordinary educational opportunity was repeated again in 1986. During April of 1988, the band will tour Southern California.