RHS Marching Band to Make Live TV Appearance Friday

The Ridgewood High School marching band will be giving an audience near and far a taste of their newest show in a live television feature Friday morning.

CBS cameras will be on hand at the high school field early Friday, Sept. 27 for a live performance of part of the band’s 2013 show, titled “Rush Hour,” for the network’s morning show “The Couch.”

“Rush Hour” is a musical venture through New York City modes of transportation, as Marching Band Director John Luckenbill described.

The show moves thematically through rides on the subway, airplanes and taxis, drawing on pop hits like John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and, for the grand finale, “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys.

 “We’re trying to integrate some pop music with our normal concert band music,” Luckenbill said.

Comprised of 96 students that perform regularly at home football games and competitions throughout the region, they're also trying to “get the face of our band out there in the community,” Luckenbill said.

A parent-led publicity committee caught the attention of the network to arrange Friday's feature, and has been distributing materials, such as the lyrics to "Go Get 'Em Ridgewood," the school's fight song, to members of the public in an effort to get more involvement when the band hits the familiar notes.

The TV appearance precedes a Friday night game where the band will be bringing eighth grade instrumentalists from Ridgewood's two middle schools to play tunes from the high school stadium's stands, Luckenbill said.

Friday morning’s show will feature a live performance on the high school field as well as student and staff interviews about the work that goes into connecting the steps and music to choreograph a fresh show each season.

“The Couch” airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WLNY 10/55, and cameras are expected to go live from the RHS field around the show’s halfway mark.