Bloomsburg High School Band marches toward history

When Bloomsburg High School Band Director Dante Marmo opened a letter last November from the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade Committee, he almost dismissed it as a hoax. The message claimed that the Bloomsburg High School Marching Band had been nominated to represent Pennsylvania in the 84th Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade in Honolulu, HI. Once the invitation was verified, disbelief turned into excitement—and then into determination.

“We knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Marmo explained. “But we also knew we had a big question to answer: could we really make it happen within a year?”

With the full support of the school administration, band parents and the Bloomsburg Area School District, planning began almost immediately. Out of 65 band members, 62 signed on to participate, an impressive show of commitment that reflected both enthusiasm and faith in the program.

The Band Boosters Association stepped up with unstoppable energy, organizing an ambitious fundraising campaign that included everything from Bingos and 5K races to community Luaus. Countless volunteer hours went into planning and promoting events, building community partnerships, and ensuring that every student who wanted to go would be able to.

The results speak for themselves: thanks to the generosity of the community, the school board, and the surrounding communities, the band has reduced the cost of the trip to around $500 per student, a remarkable achievement considering the trip’s distance and scope. Even as they prepared for Hawaii, the band maintained its full local performance schedule, including football halftime shows, Cavalcade of Bands competitions, and appearances in both the Bloomsburg Veterans Day Parade and the Bridesburg Memorial Day Parade near Philadelphia.

Their December itinerary in Hawaii reflects both reflection and celebration. Here are some highlights:
-Friday, December 5: The band will visit Pearl Harbor, performing a tribute concert aboard the USS Missouri, then touring the USS Arizona Memorial and its visitors center.
-Saturday, December 6: Students will explore the island of Oahu, traveling along the famous North Shore, visiting Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and the Dole Plantation — a day that blends education, culture, and adventure.
-Sunday, December 7: The band will take part in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, joining other bands and veterans’ groups from across the nation in honoring those who served and sacrificed.

For Marmo, the trip is about much more than travel. “This is about representing not just Bloomsburg, but Pennsylvania,” he said. “It’s about honoring our veterans, building teamwork and showing students what’s possible when a community believes in them.”

In December, their music will carry more than a melody; it will showcase the pride of an entire community.