Rahway High Marching Band Turns Halftime Into an App

The Rahway High School Marching Band is bringing a fresh creative vision to the field this season with "iBand," an innovative halftime performance that reimagines the marching band as an interactive app and the audience as its users.

The concept originated from a collaboration between band directors Timothy Orton and Meagan Spatz and Joseph Mudrak, the high school's educational technology specialist. Mudrak suggested framing the band as software and the audience as users—a simple idea that inspired everything thematic about the show.

"This concept drives everything you'll see," Orton and Spatz explained. "There are sound effects reminiscent of automated systems, visual elements like a cursor, props showing phone reception bars that flicker as the band moves, and physical gestures imitating digital interfaces."

But the show represents more than just creative staging. In preparation for the season, the directors implemented a "marching band bootcamp"—a specialized fitness program designed by Forte Athletics that trained student musicians for the physical demands of competitive marching. Rahway students participated in two workouts a week, both individually and in sections, building the strength and stamina needed for summer band camp and the fall season.

The directors spent several months developing the iBand concept, carefully considering the band's size, instrumentation, and the ability level of their students. Spatz recalled waiting years for the right moment. "We loved this music, but we didn't have the right instrumentation before, and our members weren't ready for the visual package," she said. "This year, everything aligned."

The result is a stunningly original performance that reflects months of planning and a team of educators committed to pushing their students creatively and physically. Union County Life celebrates this achievement and the dedication behind it.

See iBand for yourself: The Rahway High School Marching Band performs at Brick Memorial High School on Saturday, October 3, at 4 p.m.

FAQ

Q: What is iBand?
A: iBand is Rahway High School's marching band halftime show where the band performs as an interactive app and the audience acts as users. The concept includes digital sound effects, cursor visuals, and props showing phone reception bars that change throughout the performance.

Q: Who came up with the iBand concept?
A: Band directors Timothy Orton and Meagan Spatz developed the show's theme with input from Joseph Mudrak, the high school's educational technology specialist. Mudrak suggested the app-as-band framework that became the show's foundation.

Q: How did the band prepare for such an ambitious show?
A: Prior to summer band camp, directors Orton and Spatz implemented a "marching band bootcamp," a specialized fitness program created by Forte Athletics. Students participated in two workouts per week to build the strength and endurance needed for competitive marching.

Q: When can I see iBand perform?
A: The Rahway High School Marching Band will perform iBand on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 4 p.m. at Brick Memorial High School.

Q: Why did it take years to perform this show?
A: Directors Orton and Spatz had heard the music for years but felt the band wasn't ready until now. They needed the right instrumentation and a team of musicians physically and technically capable of executing the visual package alongside the music.