HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — The Hackettstown High School Tiger Marching Band captured its second consecutive state championship Saturday, Oct. 31, capping an undefeated season and continuing its historic run of success.
The 43-member band earned first place at the state championships at Mount Olive High School with a score of 87.2, winning caption awards for Best Music, Best Overall Effect, Best Percussion and Best Color Guard.
The victory followed the band’s first undefeated regular season in school history, during which the Tigers finished first in all five competitions and swept every available special caption award. The color guard also completed its second consecutive undefeated season.
Under the direction of Adam Freeman, Hackettstown has now captured back-to-back state championships in 2025 and 2026, following its national championship in 2024.
The Tigers entered the state championships after earning a first-place finish at Vernon High School on Oct. 24 with a score of 86.8, their highest regular-season score. The band improved that mark to 87.2 at the state competition.
The band’s 2026 production, “Influencer,” explores the impact of social media through music by artists and composers including Lady Gaga, Muse, Richard Strauss and John Adams.
The marching band, which includes students from seventh grade through high school seniors, has been rehearsing since late June under Freeman’s direction, with assistance from Andrew Seeley, Jeff Klein and Angelo Oliver.
With another state title secured, Hackettstown will compete at the national championships Saturday, Nov. 7, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where the Tigers will seek their second national championship in three years. The competition has a rain date of Sunday, Nov. 8, if needed.
