NHS Raider Marching Band
About the Raider Band
The Raider Marching Band has built a legacy of excellence and national recognition with remarkable achievements and prestigious performances. In 2024, they reached a new pinnacle, winning both the USBands NJ State Championships and the USBands National Championships for Group IIIA with the highest score in program history: an impressive 96.10.
This latest accomplishment adds to their history of success, including a 1st Place win at the 2022 USBands National Championships, the 2019 NJ State Championship, and grand prize wins at the 2015 and 2018 Taxslayer Bowls in Jacksonville, Florida. Their journey began with the title of Group 2A USSBA Northern State Champions in 2009. The program was promoted to the prestigious Open Class for the 2023 season.
As a charter member of the Herald-News Band Festival, the Raider Band has showcased its talent at iconic venues such as the 1964 NY World’s Fair, halftime for the NY Jets at Shea Stadium, and the steps of the US Senate Building and the Lincoln Memorial. Their performance with Bruno Mars at the Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show and appearances in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Parades highlight their commitment to excellence.
With every performance, the Raider Marching Band captivates audiences, proudly representing Nutley and solidifying its reputation as a band of national prominence.
Competition Class
Group IIIA - 53 Members
2024-25 Raider Band Staff
Band Director - Vincent J. Vicchiariello
Assistant Band Director - Julia Wehrer
Music Composition - Ian Grom and John Mapes
Drill Design - Ian Flint
Percussion Coordinator - Connor Horwath
Brass Caption Head - Andrew Mayweski
Woodwind Caption Head - Zachary Mackewicz
Color Guard Caption Head - Kim Furtado
Color Guard Instructors - Johana Cruz and Sydney Verlezza
Percussion Instructor - Caitlyn Yozzo
Front Ensemble Instructor - Anthony Salimbene
Visual Instructor - Shea Costello
2024-25 Student Leadership
Drum Majors - Rachelle Bonilla and Emerson Morales
Flute Section Leaders - Vincenza Gabriele and Sindy Pacheco
Clarinet/Saxophone Section Leaders - Caitlin Niebuhr and Maria Rizzi
High Brass Section Leader - Matthew Loeser
Low Bass Section Leader - Alekaii Rosado
Battery Section Leaders - Luke Costantino
Front Ensemble Section Leaders - Veronica Daniels and Emily Ruthman
Color Guard Section Leaders - Abby Puleo and Olivia Rodriguez
Competition Results
2024 - Group IIIA
September 21 - Northern Valley Old Tappan
1st Place - 74.00 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectSeptember 28 - Pequannock
1st Place - 82.00 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectOctober 5 - Somerville
1st Place - 84.30 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectOctober 19 - Vernon Township
1st Place - 87.80 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectOctober 26 - USBands NJ State Championships
1st Place - 91.30 - Best Percussion, Best Visual and Best Overall EffectNovember 9 - USBands National Championships
1st Place - 96.10 - Best Percussion, Best Music and Best Visual
2023 - Group IV Open
September 20 - South Brunswick
2nd Place - 79.100October 7 - Ludwig-Musser Classic
4th Place - 75.500October 21 - Vernon Township
2nd Place - 83.400October 29 - USBands NJ State Championships
7th Place - 84.100November 4 - USBands National Championships
16th Place - 83.950
2022 - Group IIIA
September 24 - South Brunswick
1st Place - 80.500October 1 - Pequannock
1st Place - 83.700October 15 - Somerville
1st Place - 86.500October 22 - Vernon Township
1st Place - 89.100October 29 - USBands NJ State Championships
2nd Place - 85.700 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Overall EffectNovember 6 - USBands National Championships
1st Place - 93.600
2021 - Group IIIA
September 25 - South Brunswick
2nd Place - 81.100October 3 - Randolph
3rd Place - 79.000October 30 - USBands NJ State Championships
2nd Place - 92.100 - Best Percussion, Best MusicOctober 31 - NJMBDA NJ State Championships
6th Place - 87.80November 6 - USBands National Championships
4th Place - 89.500 - Best Percussion
2019 - Group IVA
September 21 - Wayne Valley
1st PlaceSeptember 21 - Vernon
1st PlaceSeptember 28 - Pequannock
2nd Place - 80.925 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Overall EffectOctober 5 - Lenape Valley
1st Place - 81.863 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectOctober 12 - Mount Olive
1st Place - 84.875October 19 - Ridge
1st Place - 89.762 - Best Percussion, Best Music, Best VisualNovember 2 - USBands NJ State Championships
1st Place - 95.240 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectNovember 3 - USBands National Championships
2nd Place - 93.990 - Best Music, Best Visual
2018 - Group IVA
September 22 - Montville
79.350 - 1st PlaceSeptember 22 - Lenape Valley
78.250 - 1st PlaceSeptember 29 - Wayne Valley
2nd Place - 81.125 - Best Color Guard, Best PercussionOctober 6 - Pequannock
2nd Place - 86.725 - Best PercussionOctober 13 - Mount Olive
2nd Place - 86.900 - Best PercussionOctober 20 - North Warren
1st Place - 90.550 - Best Color Guard, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall EffectOctober 28 - USBands NJ State Championships
3rd Place - 93.6125 - Best Percussion, Best Overall EffectNovember 3 - USBands National Championships
3rd Place - 95.7000 - Best Percussion