Westfield High Marching Band Takes Second in Class 4 at East Brunswick
Maria Torres · Union County Life
According to TAPinto's report.
According to the Westfield High School Bands website, checked on October 21, 2026.
Westfield's marching band brought home a second place finish from East Brunswick.
The Westfield High School Marching Blue Devils placed second in Class 4 and second overall of 14 bands at the New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association (NJMBDA) contest at East Brunswick High School on Saturday, Oct. 17. The band is from Westfield, and Union County Life confirmed the result on the band program's website.
Chris Vitale, the Director of Bands, and band director Gabriel Batiz lead the Marching Blue Devils together. Batiz is also president of the NJMBDA, and Vitale is a cofounder of the association.
The finish follows another strong result this fall. The program lists first place in prelims and second place in finals among 15 bands at the Music For All Affiliate Regional at Warwick High School.
The band has a long record. Its listed honors include 2015 USBands Group 5A national champions, six Bands of America regional finalist finishes and five New Jersey Class AAAA state silver medals, plus a 2024 state bronze.
Next up is the NJMBDA Class Championships on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Piscataway High School. The association's Garden State Cup follows on Sunday, Nov. 1, at The College of New Jersey, with a rain date of Nov. 8.
Students who want to join can ask their school counselor for band, and there are no auditions, according to the band's new members page. Summer 2027 band camp is set for Aug. 22 to 26 in Pennsylvania, after a week of practice in Westfield, Aug. 16 to 20.
The band's website does not list scores or say which band placed first, and it does not say whether Westfield will compete for the Garden State Cup. Questions can go to Westfield High School at (908) 789-4500 or through westfieldhsbands.org.
The marching season wraps up in early November, so a few more performances remain. Find more Westfield events, businesses, and local news on Union County Life.
What to do
When: Next contest: NJMBDA Class Championships, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
Where: Piscataway High School, Piscataway
How to register: Students interested in joining: ask a school counselor for band; no auditions
Contact: Westfield High School, (908) 789-4500; westfieldhsbands.org
Source: Westfield High School Bands
Photo: Paul Seling / Pexels
What to do
- When
- Next contest: NJMBDA Class Championships, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
- Where
- Piscataway High School, Piscataway
- How to register
- Students interested in joining: ask a school counselor for band; no auditions
- Contact
- Westfield High School, (908) 789-4500; westfieldhsbands.org
Frequently asked questions
Where did the Westfield High School marching band place at East Brunswick?
Second in Class 4 and second overall of 14 bands at the NJMBDA contest on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
Where is the next NJMBDA competition?
The NJMBDA Class Championships are Saturday, Oct. 24, at Piscataway High School. The Garden State Cup is Sunday, Nov. 1, at The College of New Jersey.
How can a student join the Westfield High School marching band?
Ask a school counselor to add band to the schedule. The program says there are no auditions to be in the band.
Related articles
SportsGoogle Alerts — Westfield NJWestfield's Mia O'Reilly Up for Heart of a Giant Award
Mia O’Reilly, Westfield’s first four-year varsity girls flag football player, nominated for USA Football Heart of a Giant Award. Voting closes Oct. 25.
CommunityGoogle Alerts — Westfield NJWestfield Celebrates Italian-American Heritage at Columbus Day Ceremony
Westfield celebrated Italian-American heritage at a Columbus Day ceremony on October 11, with remarks from elected officials and cultural organization leaders.
CommunityGoogle Alerts — Westfield NJWestfield Rise Against Hunger | Community Meal-Packing Event
Westfield volunteers packed 40,800 meals for Rise Against Hunger, raising $21,085. 200+ community members participated in interfaith meal-packing event.
Get Union County news in your inbox
Subscribe for local headlines, town updates, and community stories from across Union County.
Sign up for the newsletter