The Huntington High School Blue Devil marching band is steadily rebuilding its ranks after the havoc caused by COVID-19. The organization featured a fully functioning program over the past several months including a summer camp, weekly night rehearsals and competitions, a home show and a trip to the state championships in Syracuse.
The Huntington High School Blue Devil marching band is steadily rebuilding its ranks after the havoc caused by COVID-19. The organization featured a fully functioning program over the past several months including a summer camp, weekly night rehearsals and competitions, a home show and a trip to the state championships in Syracuse.
Musicians and color guard members along with the band’s professional staff and parent support organization all expressed pleasure with how well the year went after several years of modified activities due to COVID-19.
While a return to the state championships didn’t result in winning the Governor’s Cup, signifying a state title, the trip was a welcome culmination to a great year. In recent weeks the band has hosted Finley students interested in joining the ranks of the Blue Devils next year and beyond.
The Blue Devil band’s co-directors are Andre Rizzuto and Patrick Neary. Nadeera Ali, Emma Hannigan and Isabella Lima are the Huntington’s drum majors. Rachel Morina is the field major.
“Looking back, I think we had a very successful season,” Ms. Ali said. “We had about 36 new members with a band of 95, which is a significant increase from last year’s number. Our new director, Mr. Rizzuto is bound to make the band shine next season and in more to come. He did a wonderful job taking on this new role and he was really able to express himself in his element, which I think is amazing. All of the seniors are going to miss him but the juniors and underclass men are so lucky.”
The band’s Class of 2023 members were able to culminate their career’s with a satisfying experience with .
“As a drum major, I could not be more proud of the band,” Ms. Ali said. “Coming off that field and feeling nothing but happiness and pride for my band and seeing everyone hug each other and embrace the family that band is was the best thing I could have asked for. I can’t wait to see next year’s band as a spectator and I wish them the best of luck!”
First organized in 1934 by high school music teacher James Cloyd Doty, an Ohio native and Oberlin College graduate, the Blue Devil band is among New York’s oldest and most highly regarded.
“I am so proud of the marching band this season,” Ms. Morina said. “We all worked so hard and with the help of our amazing staff and student leaders we achieved an outstanding show. We also had a lot of fun along the way and I am leaving this program with the best memories. I’m proud of all the seniors for stepping up and being amazing role models and leaders and I’m beyond proud of all the new members for how much effort they put into learning how to march and play a great show.”
