South Middlesex Times

Students from Grover Cleveland Middle School have emerged victorious in Rutgers University’s fourth “Battle of the Bands” competition. As a result, they will perform the university’s fight song during a football game at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

University officials invited middle school bands throughout New Jersey to submit video performances of Rutgers’ fight song, “The Bells Must Ring.” The competition is organized in partnership with the university’s marching band and the Rutgers–New Brunswick Division of Enrollment Management. Submissions were reviewed for technical skill, captivating stage presence, and pride in New Jersey’s flagship institution.

“My students and I feel so honored to receive this distinction and are thrilled about this opportunity,” said Lauren Chen, band director of Grover Cleveland Middle School in Caldwell, N.J. “Working with the young musicians in the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools is a privilege, and winning this competition is a testament to the students’ hard work and commitment to achieving musical excellence.”

As winners, band members from Grover Cleveland Middle School will visit Rutgers–New Brunswick to play the university’s fight song alongside the Rutgers marching band during a Scarlet Knights football game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J., on a date yet to be determined. Band members and their chaperones will receive tickets to the game.

“This would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our administration, staff and families,” Chen added. “Thank you to the Rutgers University Scarlet Marching Knights for providing this experience that will hopefully inspire our young musicians to continue their musical endeavors in college.”

Courtney McAnuff, vice chancellor for enrollment management at Rutgers–New Brunswick, developed the initial vision of the contest as a way for younger students to connect with state universities at an early age.

“We are delighted to provide this opportunity for middle school students to engage with Rutgers–New Brunswick in a unique way,” said McAnuff.

“On behalf of our entire Rutgers band family, it is with tremendous excitement that we congratulate the Grover Cleveland Middle School Band on winning this year’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition,” said Todd Nichols, director of university bands at Rutgers who led high school bands for 19 years before joining Rutgers in 2017.

“We look forward to Grover Cleveland’s visit to campus and their performance alongside our Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights,” Nichols added. “It will be a must-see performance.”