The rumble of the drums, the roar of the brass and the dedication of spirit are all heard and seen during every high school football game in the Lehigh Valley, but some may not know that Whitehall’s Marching Zephyr Band has been competing on a grand scale, both on and off the high school bleachers during the fall.

The marching band ended its strong 2015 season Nov. 8 at Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships in Hershey. The band finished in fourth place overall while achieving some remarkable accomplishments. The final score of 96.55 was the highest in Zephyr history. The band won the award for best percussion for the third time, to go along with a fifth consecutive top 2 finish in percussion.

But the success of the band didn’t happen overnight.

The 2015 season began in June during the band’s first mini-camp.

“Even in those few rehearsals, it was pretty evident that things were shaping up for a strong season,” Whitehall Marching Zephyr Band Director Matt Tanzos said. “Every student must ‘buy in’ and do their part the right way to make the whole overall machine run smoothly. Without that, there is absolutely no way to achieve success in this activity.”

During the month of August, the team held its annual band camp where members got their first real glimpse of what was in store for the rest of the season. In mid-September, the team’s official season was underway, and competitions became abundant.

Tanzos, who has now completed his seventh year as director, believes the team really began to hit its stride during its fourth competition in October at Spring Ford High School. The team outscored all competing bands - including six-time defending Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships Group 4 Open Champion, Spring Ford High School - and was awarded the U.S. Marine Corps Award for best overall band.

“Two weeks later would go down as by far one of the highest points in our program’s history,” Tanzos said. “We had an outstanding performance at our Homecoming football game on Friday night, then had an absolutely dominating display on Saturday at Eastern Pennsylvania Region Championships, receiving the highest score in the entire show (95.3).

“[We swept] every category - best music, visual, percussion and colorguard - and received a second U.S. Marine Corps Award, this time for being the most respectful, courteous and disciplined band as voted by the show hosts. Also, our band president, senior Madison O’Donnell, received the region scholarship,” Tanzos said.

Tanzos believes that O’Donnell and drum major Giancarlo Levano were two strong leaders for the group. O’Donnell’s guidance and example-setting as a student played a huge role in the success of the band, while Levano did a fine job leading the band from the podium week in and week out. Levano also will continue his pursuits in college as he looks to major in music education.

Some schools have received criticism over the past few years for continual loss in art and music programs, but, thankfully, Whitehall has not been one of those schools.

When asked about how important such programs are to students, Tanzos said, “I believe music and the arts are so crucial to a child’s education. We are becoming a society so obsessed with standardized testing and meeting goals that, quite frankly, are unrealistic. We, in many ways, are losing sight of the fact that the arts and humanities teach us to be human. Music encompasses so many different aspects in our lives that it pains me when it is taken for granted.

“When it comes to marching band, I cannot think of too many other activities that can teach so much. Scholastically, it teaches you math, (rhythms, time signatures, count structures, tempos); history of the music, activity, cultural themes in shows; science (physics of instruments, properties of sound); foreign language (dynamic and tempo markings); and physical education (importance of good health habits, breathing techniques, proper posture, endurance).

“And that doesn’t even yet include the life skills that are gained by being involved in the activity, such as responsibility for your instrument, learning your music/routine/drill, maintaining your uniform, being on time and managing your time; teamwork; performance skills; interpersonal skills, which is quickly becoming a lost art in today’s technology age; discipline; respect; and pride,” Tanzos said.

Tanzos also emphasized through his teaching experiences, he learned that students involved in marching band are better prepared for college and the work force.

Whitehall’s Marching Zephyr Band is comprised of students in grades 7 through 12. Those interested in competing to be in the marching band are encouraged to contact Tanzos at tanzosm@whitehallcoplay.org.

Marching band is the ultimate team sport, Tanzos said.

“We don’t have timeouts. We don’t have backups or subs. We don’t get four downs, three strikes or two shots. It all comes down to everyone being at their absolute best the entire time, every time.”

With that said, the results speak for themselves.