WHAT AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE! The WDMB captured the 2025 Group III, Open Class TOB NJ State Championship! With a score of 96.10, the WDMB took first place in Group III and was the highest scoring band across all groups who attended the contest (49 bands). The WDMB also took the award for Best Overall Music and Best Color Guard! It was an exciting event and a great way to launch into ACC's week.

WELCOME TO ACCs WEEK!
From our first rehearsals in July until now, it all comes down to one final performance.  This group has grown into an amazing performance ensemble.  Supportive team work and the constant pursuit of excellence has driven this group of young performers to the highest level of excellence. They are proof that together WE can do anything!

This is the week we've been working so hard towards!  Its going to be an incredible week as we work to max out our 2025 program and welcome everyone to our MASQUERADE ball one last time in TOB competition. 

PLAYOFF FOOTBALL GAME
The football game originally scheduled for Friday (Halloween) has been moved to Saturday, November 1st. Kickoff will be 12noon.

​ACC SEND-OFF PERFORMANCE
Sorry, there will not be an official "Sendoff" presentation this year. Due to the playoff football game being moved to Saturday, we will have to invite everyone to come out and see our halftime performance. This will serve as our send-off performance.

ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS
Heading into Hershey the WDMB is ranked #3, and everyone is pushing hard preparing for the final showdown. We have awesome competitors and we want to wish everyone the very best and good skills in Hershey.

ACC TICKETS
Adults $30 & Students/Senior Citizens $25 
Children 5 & under are free.

ACCs PARENTS BUS
The cost is $50 per seat
Signup & info here => https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D44AFA723A1FA7-59822516-accs#/​

HERSHEYPARK STADIUM INFO
General ACC at Hershey Stadium Info from TOB => http://www.njatob.org/events/tournament-of-bands/accs-at-hershey 

ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK SCHEDULE
Mon. 10/27 – Nothing Scheduled
Tue. 10/28 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Wed. 10/29 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Thu. 10/30 –  Rehearsal 6p-9p
Fri. 10/31 - Nothing Scheduled
​Sat. 11/1 - ACC REHEARSAL & Football (H) Playoff Round #1
    8:00am - Rehearsal begins
    10:30am - Rehearsal Ends/Snack/Dress
    11:30am - Move to stadium
    11:40pm - Away Team Band - Pregame performance?
    11:55am - National Anthem by WDMB
    12:00pm - Game Begins
    1:10pm - WDMB Halftime SENDOFF Performance!
    2:30pm - Game ends
    2:45pm – Dismissed​
Sun. 11/2 – ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HERSHEYPARK STADIUM
    7:00am - Rehearsal begins
    9:00am - Rehearsal Ends/Load
    9:30am - Load Coach Buses
    10:00am - Depart WDHS for Hershey, PA
    12:30pm - Arrive at Hershey Park Stadium
    1:00pm - Warm-ups begin
    3:00pm - WDHS Performs
    4:00pm – Tailgate Lunch
    7:00pm - Awards
    8:30pm - Depart for WDHS
    10:30pm - Arrive at WDHS/Unload
    11:00pm – Dismissed

US BANDS CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK SCHEDULE
Mon. 11/3 – Nothing Scheduled
Tue. 11/4 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Wed. 11/5 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Thu. 11/6 –  Rehearsal 6p-9p
Fri. 11/7 - Football (H) Playoff Round #2
    5:00pm - Report
    6:30pm - Move to stadium
    6:40pm - Away Team Band - Pregame performance?
    6:55pm - National Anthem by WDMB
    7:00pm - Game Begins
    8:10pm - WDMB Halftime performance!
    8:30pm - Load trucks after halftime performance
    9:30pm - Game ends
    9:45pm – Dismissed
​Sat. 11/8 - USBANDS OPEN CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS AT METLIFE STADIUM
    We do not have any confirmed times for this event.
    This is based off the eariest we would posssibly perform.
    6:00am - Report/Load Buses
    6:45am - Depart WDHS for MetLife Stadium
    8:30am - Arrive at Metlife Stadium
    9:15am - Warm-ups begin
    11:00am -  WDHS Performs
    1:00pm - Return to Stadium   
    1:30pm – Lunch in Stadium $$$
    3:30pm - Awards (Metlife Central)
    4:30pm - Depart for WDHS
    6:15pm - Arrive at WDHS/Unload
    6:45pm – Dismissed
Sun. 11/9 – Nothing Scheduled

CONGRATULATIONS WDMB!
2nd PLACE & BEST MUSIC at the 2025 SJ Region I Championships!

We are so proud of what this group is accomplishing. They are truly elite performers. Our score of 92.30 makes the WDMB the 6th highest score out of the 124 bands across all TOB Regional Championships. That is amazing! Congratulations to WDMB Senior Melody Parisi on receiving a $500 TOB Region 1 Scholarship.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support us in the stands and on the field. Steady, strong winds made for a less than optimal performance situation, but our amazing students, staff and volunteers helped us steady our props and perform like there was no wind at all.

Looking forward, we are down to our final 3 weeks of competitions. This week we head into the TOB NJ State Championships. Next week we roll into Hershey, Pennsylvania for the TOB Atlantic Coast Championships (ACCs). We will complete our season in Metlife Stadium for the USBands Open Class Championships.

This week we have another opportunity to go head to head with several great competitors. We are working hard to close the gaps and make our MASQUERADE program as strong as possible. Every rehearsal is critical as we fine tune and dial in the final details of our show. Thank you for making sure your child is on time and prepared for every event.

REMAINING FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Our Football team qualified for their playoffs! The 1st round will take place on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th or FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31st. We will not know officially until next Sunday or Monday. This will be a home game event. All members will be required to attend as we support our team and perform at Halftime. 

NJ STATES AT BARNEGAT HIGH SCHOOL
We know this is a hike, but we will make it worth it. 
General Spectator Parking will take place at the Barnegat High School Main Parking Lot 
180 Bengal Blvd. Barnegat, NJ. 08005) 
Tickets are only available at the gate: $15 Adults - $10, Students & Senior Citizens

Normally at States students would have some time to hit the concession stand for food. Due to our late performance time, we will not be able to do that.  All students are asked to pack a meal. Students will be fed prior to departure, but they will certainly work up an appetitie after our performance. Thank you to everyone who has been providing bus snacks for the kids. 

WD BAND TRUNK OR TREAT
Our Annual Trunk or Treat will be held on Sunday, October 26th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm in the WDHS Horseshoe Parking Lot.  If you are interested in decorating a car and handing out treats, please respond using the Sign Up Genius Link Below.  We hope to see you there.

Trunk or Treat Sign Up
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B48A5AA28A6F58-59608321-trunk#/

NJ STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK SCHEDULE
Mon. 10/20 – Nothing Scheduled
Tue. 10/21 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Wed. 10/22 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Thu. 10/23 –  Rehearsal 6p-9p
Fri. 10/24 - Football (A) Overbrook - Pep Band Only
​    4:00pm - Report to WDHS/Load
    4:30pm - Depart for Overbrook HS
    5:00pm - Arrive at Overbrook HS
    6:00pm - Game begins
    8:30pm - Game ends/Load
    8:45pm - Depart for WDHS
    9:10pm - Arrive at WDHS/Unload
    9:30pm - Dismissed​
Sat. 10/25 - TOB NJ STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
    10:45am - Rehearsal Begins
    1:45pm – Rehearsal ends/load
    2:15pm – Lunch/snack (provided)
    4:15pm - Depart for Barnegat HS
    5:45pm - Arrive at Barnegat HS
    8:00pm - WDMB Performs
    8:45pm - Awards
    9:45pm - Depart for WDHS
    11:15pm - Arrive at WDHS/Unload
    11:45pm - Dismissed
Sun. 10/26 – WDMB Truck or Treat 6p-8p 

ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK SCHEDULE
Mon. 10/27 – Nothing Scheduled
Tue. 10/28 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Wed. 10/29 – Rehearsal 6p-9p
Thu. 10/30 –  Rehearsal 6p-9p or Playoff Round #1
Fri. 10/31 - Football (H) Playoff Round #1
​     5:00pm - Report
     6:30pm - Move to stadium
     6:40pm - Away Team Band - Pregame performance?
     6:55pm - National Anthem
     7:00pm - Game Begins
     8:10pm - WDMB Halftime performance!
     9:30pm - Game ends
     9:45pm – Dismissed​​
Sat. 11/1 - ACC REHEARSAL & SENDOFF PERFORMANCE
     TBD
Sun. 11/2 – ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS
    7:00am - Rehearsal begins
    9:00am - Rehearsal Ends/Load
    9:30am - Load Coach Buses
    10:00am - Depart WDHS for Hershey, PA
    12:30pm - Arrive at Hershey Park Stadium
    1:00pm - Warm-ups begin
    3:00pm - WDHS Performs
    4:00pm – Tailgate Lunch
    7:00pm - Awards
    8:30pm - Depart for WDHS
    10:30pm - Arrive at WDHS/Unload
    11:00pm – Dismissed
​

Dear Band Family,
​
I wanted to take a moment to give everyone some updates on yesterday’s unfortunate events. At the SJ Regional Championships, we had two students develop medical issues during the performance. I want to thank the two families for granting me permission to share the details of the situation for everyone’s knowledge and closure. One student passed out; the other had a seizure. As we entered the 3rd segment of the show, we noticed that a student had gone down. Our priority was to get them to safety as soon as possible. As soon as we noticed the student was down we ran onto the field and lifted her up and took her to the track area. Once there, the onsite EMT came in. We also had several medical professionals jump in to offer assistance. The student’s parents were with us immediately as well. When the student was stabilized, I was able to return my attention to the performance on the field as they needed assurance that things were OK. As we entered the final moment of the show we had a second student go down. We immediately ran out to protect the student and surveyed the situation. The second student fell due to a seizure. Additional medical people ran to the aid and stabilized the student. Both parents were on hand as well. The second student was taken to the local hospital for further evaluation. We eventually received reports that both students were OK and doing well. Student one returned to school today.

Never in my 24 years at WDHS had I ever had a situation of this kind. I want to thank everyone who offered help and assistance. The band at large was amazing and handled the situation like true professionals. They stayed calm and reacted appropriately. The positive thing about this situation is knowing that our band is truly a family with genuine care and kindness for each other.

 - Mr. Kershaw