THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE . . . From the beginning of Mainland Regional High School in 1961, the Mainland Band was destined to become a great band, simply because of it's most valuable resource ... it's students! In 1961-63, the beginnings of the band were established by Mr. Ralph Mastrogiovanni. The duties of further development were then handed to Mr. Robert Hartman, who directed the band from 1963-66, followed by Mr. Fred Marentic from 1966-67. Then, in 1967, something rather unusual happened ... Mr. K. Michael Skwarlo relinquished his position as choir director at Mainland to become the director of the now famous Mainland Mustang Band. The baton remained with Mr. Skwarlo until 1995, when it was passed to Mr. Keith Hodgson who is the director currently.

Under the direction of Mr. Skwarlo, the band appeared in it's first Miss American Parade, in 1968, which marked the beginning of great things to come ... Since the beginning, the band has won hundreds of trophies, awards and citations, as well as being recognized by the governor of the State of New Jersey on numerous occasions. The band has performed in various competitions, parades and concerts, and has represented Mainland Regional High School and the State of New Jersey before more than one hundred thousand people ... both here and abroad ... while millions more watched on television.

At the end of each school year, the number of proud graduates of the Mainland Mustang Band grows ... each leaving with a sense of pride, dedication and honor that so many others never achieve. And, with each new school year comes a group of fresh faces to continue to represent the communities of Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point, as well as the State of New Jersey, with a sense of pride ... these are the faces of the future ... and they will forever continue to uphold "The Pursuit of Excellence". . .

1970

International Azalea Festival - Norfolk, Virginia  (Champions)

1970

Sponsored Our 1st Annual Indoor Color Guard Competition - Linwood, New Jersey

1971

International Azalea Festival - Norfolk, Virginia  (Champions)

1972

Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade - Louisville, Kentucky  (By Invitation)

1973

Cotton Bowl Parade - Dallas, Texas  (By Invitation)

1973

Sponsored Our 1st Annual Tournament of Bands (TOB) Competition - Linwood, New Jersey

1975

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival - Winchester, Virginia  (Champions)

1976

Played for President Gerald Ford - Atlantic City, New Jersey

1976

Sousa Concert - Linwood, New Jersey

1976

Fiesta Musical Mexicana and Aztec Marching Band  Pageant - Mexico City, Mexico  (Champions)

1977

Philadelphia 76'ers Game, Spectrum - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1978

Played for President Jimmy Carter - Pomona, New Jersey

1979

Six Flags Over Mid-America Band Festival - St. Louis, Missouri  (Grand Champions)

1979

Detroit Lions Half-Time Show, Silver Dome - Pontiac, Michigan  (By Invitation)

1980

"1st Ever" Band Camp, Mount Saint Mary's College - Emmitsburg, Maryland

1981

Orange Blossom Festival - Orlando, Florida  (Champions)

1982

Philadelphia 76'ers Game, Spectrum - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1983

Six Flags Over Georgia - Atlanta, Georgia  (Grand Champions)

1984

Marching Bands Of America Grand National Championships, Hoosier Dome - Indianapolis, Indiana  (12th Ranked AA Band)

1986

North American Music Festival - Nashville, Tennessee  (Grand Champions)

1989

North American Music Festival - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  (Grand Champions)

1991

International Azalea Festival - Norfolk, Virginia  (Grand Champions)

1993

Fiesta-Val Music Festival - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  (4 Superiors, 1 Excellent)

1995

New Year's Day Parade - London, England  (By Invitation)

2002

Concert Performance at Universal Studios - Orlando, Florida

2005

New Jersey State Championship Winners

AND... There's More History In The Making!