[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 77 (Friday, June 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1033-E1034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING BRANDYWINE HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 3, 2004

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Brandywine 
Heights High School Marching Band. The Marching Band was selected as 
one of the few bands to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at 
the official dedication of the World War II Memorial over Memorial Day 
weekend.
  The Brandywine Heights High School Marching Band is unique in that is 
one of few bands in the country that is modeled after a Revolutionary 
war music regiment. The Marching Band is steeped in this tradition and 
is able to maintain its revolutionary style by wearing authentic 
reproductions of Continental army uniforms and by marching with precise 
military bearing. The only songs performed by the marching band are 
patriotic, again keeping with the tradition set forth by the 
Continental soldiers in the 18th century.
  The Brandywine Heights High School Marching Ensemble consists of four 
parts: the Marching Band, the Fife and Drum Corps, the Band Front, and 
the Bugle Corps. The Marching Band consists of 70-80 musicians and to 
maintain its military bearing, the band strives for not only for 
uniformity in dress, but also in marching. The goal of the Marching 
Band is to be recognized as a single unit rather than as individuals. 
In order to achieve this, the band performs the ``Drill of Attention,'' 
which is a check list to focus band members and assemble them with 
correct stance and posture.
  The Fife and Drum Corps consist of ten to fifteen fifes and three 
drummers. They play a selection of fife tunes that were played over 200 
years ago by their revolutionary counterparts. As one of the very few 
fife bands in the country, the corps has done much to enhance the image 
of the band as a whole.
  The Band Front consists of an honor guard, flag corps, and majorette 
squad. The honor

[[Page E1034]]

guard carries the national and state flag as well as many revolutionary 
artifacts. The flag corps performs routines with flags that represent 
each of the original thirteen colonies and the majorette squad performs 
precise routines with flags in synchronization with the band.
  In 2003, the band introduced a new aspect to their ensemble, the 
Bugle Corps. The Buglers have many responsibilities, most importantly 
calling to the band to formation and playing taps.
  The Brandywine Heights High School Marching Band has made quite an 
impact on their community and has been given the opportunity to perform 
in numerous local and national parades. In 2002, the band was awarded 
1st place in the King Frost Parade and 2nd place in the Miss America 
Parade. The Fife and Drum Corps was given the prestigious honor to 
perform at the ceremony marking the movement of the Liberty Bell to a 
new location in Philadelphia and the Band Front won first place at the 
Ephrata Fair parade.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing 
the Brandywine Heights High School Band for their unique style, hard-
work and dedication, and great enthusiasm that have made the band one 
of the most successful and unique bands in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________