From 1972 to 1987 , Hammonton High School ( HHS ) Band Director Anthony Guerere led the Hammonton High School “ Blue Devil ” Marching Unit . Competitive since 1972 , during Guerere ’ s tenure the band won more than 200 first place awards in field show , parades , and concert competitions . To the present day , the HHS Band continues to perform .
The Hammontonian interviewed Guerere and looked back at that amazing 15-period in the band ’ s history , an era that featured innovative music , large numbers of students participating , traveling to competitions and many awards for the students led by Guerere .
Guerere was already a fixture at HHS before the competitive marching unit began in 1972 . He started as band director in 1959 , then spent a year in the Army in 1960 . He returned as band director in 1961 , and was responsible for all the instrumental lessons , choral shows and plays at HHS as well .
In 1971 , the board , through then-superintendent Charles Dispoto , said they wanted a competition band .
“ They said , ‘ We would like to see the HHS Band compete .’ My reaction was : ‘ In sports , there ’ s competition . In music , you don ’ t see the Philadelphia Orchestra compete with the LA Orchestra . You appreciate music , you don ’ t compete .’ They didn ’ t buy it ,” Guerere said with a
BACK IN THE DAY
laugh .
His main concern was whether the HHS Band could compete with bands that were used to marching in shows .
“ Musically , I knew we would we be competitive — but as far as the show is concerned , I didn ’ t have a lot of experience with that ,” Guerere said .
At that time , Charlotte Cessato asked Guerere if he had ever seen the indoor color guard at St . Anthony ’ s School . He told her he had not , so he went to see the drum corps color guard called the Seahorse Lancers .
“ They blew me away . I wanted whomever did that . It turned out it was Joe Aiello from Hammonton . I asked him if he was interested in putting together the marching for a halftime show for my band . He was not interested at first . He called up the next day and said ‘ I ’ ll do it under one condition : I don ’ t want my name mentioned .’,”
COMPETITION .
Guerere recalled .
Cessato , who was the cheerleader coach at the time , said she would do Pom Poms for the band . The cheerleaders would become Poms .
In 1972 , the band had its
THE HAMMONTONIAN | OCTOBER 2022 | P . 19
Guerere led HHS Marching Unit in 1970s and 1980s
by GABE DONIO
HAMMONTON HIGH SCHOOL “ BLUE DEVIL ” MARCHING UNIT PERFORMING AT THE OR- ANGE BOWL IN MIAMI , FLA . IN 1981 . THE MARCHING UNIT WON FIRST PLACE FOR BEST BAND FRONT AND SECOND PLACE FOR BEST PLAYING BAND IN A NATIONAL
first competition in Pompton Lakes in North Jersey .
“ It was 12 other North Jersey bands and us . They award you a “ tick ” which is one-tenth of a point . A point
See GUERERE , P . 20
LEFT TO RIGHT : ANTHONY GUERERE WHEN HE STARTED HIS CAREER AT HHS ; LYNNE ( GUERERE ) LUCCA , DRUM MAJOR ANTHONY GUERERE AND JOANNE ( GUERERE ) PULLIA IN 1978 ; ROSE RITA GUERERE .
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