About the North Penn Marching Knights

In this section of our website, you can learn more about the Marching Knights, including our history and purpose, current members and leadership, our school, and our awards and achievements.

A Brief History

The Marching Knights began in December 1971 when a small group of parents met with the high school principal to discuss the formation of an organization to provide assistance to students interested in the various music programs. As a result of that discussion, the North Penn Music Association became a reality in March 1972.

With the arrival of band director Stephen E. Frederick in July, the North Penn High School Band and the North Penn High School Knights Guard were reorganized into one unit known as the Marching Knights. Within two short years, the Marching Knights became a band of championship caliber.

Throughout their history the Knights have maintained an active schedule of concert & competitive performances. Audiences at the Orange Bowl, Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Florida Festival of States (4 times), the Winchester, Virginia Apple Blossom Festival (3 times), WGI Friendship Cup in Dallas, Texas, and the 1985, 1989, 1994, 1997 Fiesta Bowls and the 2000 BOA Citrus Bowl Regional have enjoyed the Marching Knights. Their Major Motion Picture credits include "Blowout" & "Rocky V." The Marching Knights have won the Cavalcade of Bands Yankee Conference Championship 13 times. 

See the History section for more in-depth information about the history of the Marching Knights.

Our Purpose

Our goal is to provide every member of the Marching Knights with a sense of self, of spirit, of accomplishment and teamwork, and most importantly, with the understanding that excellence is a goal worth striving for, and the knowledge that it can be achieved.

Our Leadership

When the Marching Knights take the field, relatively few people know all the planning, practice, training and effort that goes into each and every performance. Dozens of dedicated professionals volunteer countless to create and shape the show into a fabulous thing to experience. This leadership starts with the band director and spans all the way down to the students that are performing for you.

Our organizational chart provides an overall view of our leadership.

Our Members

Over 120 strong for the 2006-2007 season, these students devote hundreds of hours each year to practice and performance, starting with band camp in July right through to the Championships in November.

Our Awards and Achievements

Throughout their history, the Knights have maintained an active schedule of both concert and competitive performances. Below are some of their achievements.

Awards:

• United States Scholastic Bands Association (USSBA)
• 2005 - First Place Group 6 open Champion
• 2004 - First Place Group 6 open Champion
• 2003 - First Place Group 6 open Champion
• 2002 - First Place Group 5 open Champion
• 2001 - First Place Group 5 open Champion
• 2000 - First Place Group 5 open Champion
• 1999 - First Place Group 5 open Champion
• 1998 - First Place Group 5 open Champion
• 1997 - First Place Group 5 open Champion
  
  
• Bands of America Regional Championships
• 2004 -Fourth Place (Rutgers University, NJ)
• 2003 -Third Place (Bridgeport CT)
• 2003 - Seventh Place (Tropicana Bowl, St. Petersburg, FL)
• 2002 - First Place (Hofstra University, NY)
• 2001 - Second Place (Hofstra University, NY)
• 2000 - Fourth Place (Hofstra University, NY)
• 2000 - Fifth Place (Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL)
• 1999 - Fourth Place (Hofstra University, NY)
• 1998 - Fourth Place (Hofstra University, NY)
• 1997 - Second Place (Rutgers University, NJ)
  
• Cavalcade of Bands Yankee Conference Championship
  First Place (list 13 times)
  

Past performances include:

• The Orange Bowl
• The Kentucky Derby
• The Indianapolis 500
• The Florida Festival of States (3 times)
• The Winchester, Virginia Apple Blossom Festival (3 times)
• The WGI Friendship Cup in Dallas, Texas
• The Fiesta Bowl (1985, 1989, 1994 and 1997)
• Major Motion Picture credits:
• "Blowout"
• "Rocky V"