For decades, the James Caldwell High School pep band was an indispensable fixture of Saturday football games, filling the air with marching tunes and pop songs; Santana's "Evil Ways" signaled the waning minutes of the second quarter, while Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" meant half-time had concluded. Chiefs' touchdowns were made all the more exciting when the signature "War Chant" unfailingly kicked in–bass drums smashed with full intensity–riling up the crowd and players alike. But now the pep band is no more. This football season, as a consequence of Gov. Chris Christie's slashes to education …
Some traditions endure, some fade away, still others fall victim to tough economic times. The latter is the case for the James Caldwell High School pep band, which has not been present at home football games this fall due to funding for the music program being eliminated from the school district's budget. Cutting the pep band–which would lead fans in "war chants," collaborate with cheerleaders and provide all-around entertainment at Chiefs' home games and pep rallies–saved the Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools in excess of $5,000, according to Scott Chamberlain, the school's music supervisor. …
