9-29-2023 4:33am

63rd Arlen R. Saylor Cavalcade of Bands Marches Into Town Saturday

Lesley Misko Editor

by Lesley Misko

Hundreds of students representing 19 schools will parade onto the field at Boyertown Area Senior High (BASH) Memorial Stadium Saturday night, Sept. 30, when the 63rd Annual Arlen R. Saylor Cavalcade of Bands marches into town.

The marching units will be toting an array of musical instruments, electronic equipment, flags, and props that they utilize to put on distinctive, thematic shows, painstakingly constructed during summer band camps and at after school and weekend practices. Some schools will snag a variety of awards. All will strive to earn high ratings and make their friends, family, and communities proud.

Representing Boyertown, a combined Middle School East and West group will kick off the evening of pageantry at 4:15 pm. The BASH senior high marching unit will be the last high school to take the field at around 9:10 pm and present their travel-themed show, “Thank You for Flying BASH Airways.” An exhibition performance by the East Stroudsburg University Warrior Marching Band will follow and lead into the awards presentation at 9:45 pm. The usual concession food stand foods, including Dallas french fries, will be available for purchase, alongside BASH music shirts and the traditional Cavalcade Candygrams.

Helping to ensure the night runs smoothly is a small army of volunteers form the Boyertown Area Schools Music League, which hosts the annual event.

“This is our largest showcase in recent years and it is exciting to have such a large group of bands perform,” Music League president Becky Puleo exclaims, noting that 19 different marching bands are slated to attend the event. Revenue from the annual Cavalcade helps the Music League fund a variety of Boyertown music program needs in the school district. Puleo, who is her fifth year leading the organization, explains: “We are here to help teachers at all grade levels. We are here to consult and advocate for music.”

With her own three children involved in the Boyertown music program throughout their education, Puleo has seen the benefits the Music League can provide. One of her favorite Music League contributions to the students has been to provide Saturday meals for the high school marching unit members before they go off to competitions. “That was a time for me to connect with the kids, give them something good to eat,” she explains, acknowledging she likes to be “band mom.” Recently, the Puleo family also had an opportunity to see how their efforts proved worthwhile when Andrew, the oldest and now a graduate of West Chester University, was hired as the band director in the neighboring Daniel Boone School District.

But this year’s Cavalcade is a bittersweet one for Puleo, who is planning to retire as Music League president since her youngest child will be among the BASH seniors who will be recognized during a halftime intermission. Puleo is grateful for having had the opportunity to be involved.

“I definitely enjoyed my time as president,” she says. “I was able to make some great changes along the way, but it is time for someone else to take on the responsibilities.” Puleo shares that elections for new officers will be held in the spring, and she is hopeful that Sarah Pensyl, currently vice-president, will take over the position.

Until then, however, Puleo will be at the concession stands serving piping hot cups of her famous chicken corn chowder, and on the sidelines ensuring that the BASH marching unit seniors and other students have a great stage on which to showcase their talents to a supportive hometown crowd. "I can't wait for Saturday," she says, "when they show us what they've got."

In addition to the Boyertown secondary schools, the following schools will compete: Hazleton Area, Conrad Weiser, Catasauqua, Pennridge, Governor Mifflin, Pottstown, Hatbox Horsham, and Pottsgrove.

Also, Nazareth Area, Warwick, Susquehannock, Whitehall, Phoenixville, Hempfield, Neshaminy, and Upper Moreland.

If you plan to go: Gates open at 3:45 pm at Boyertown Area High School Memorial Stadium. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the stadium or online at this link.