The Observation Deck

Greetings!
I am writing a story for the next LO about the LHS marching band.

I am hoping for some quotes from former members.

If you have any stories, reflections, favorite memories or thoughts on the benefits of particating in the band, please post them here or email me at mdeneen@cox.net

Thanks,
Mike

Good Evening Mike,

Sounds like this will be a great article. Dad and I continue to support the Lakewood Schools music program, including the marching band. During his teaching years, Dad periodically acted as an unofficial assistant marching band director. I was in the band m'self in the sixties on the bass drum, back when there was ONLY one bass drummer.

I've written several articles about the LHS alumni band that you can peruse in my prior columns. Last year, I also served as guest conductor for the band, as has Dad, in a previous year.

The LHS Alumni Band continues to be a spirited addition to the Homecoming Show each year. Although I've not heard for sure, I would imagine that tradition will continue. The group also gets together afterwords for refreshment.

Some memories? Our snare drummers' sticks sticking in the rainy muddy ground after they tried a twirl bounce-off-the-ground routine on the march...(the back line brass players had to pick 'em up and pass them back up the line) Cleaning our uniform pants and "white bucks" shoes AFTER those rainy games...the Friday night drumline dinners at each other's homes...and so many more great memories...

Back to the bass drum....

You SAY that you don't play the drums?
We don't care, that's cool!
We just want ya all to know...
That RANGER DRUMMERS RULE!!!!

Mike.
Give me a call at the Alumni Office (216.529.4033) on Tuesday and I can put you in touch with alumni marching band members from a variety of graduating classes!

Looking forward to your story on 'the band built with pride, discipline, commitment and respect!'

Mike,

Thanks for taking this on. I'm looking forward to reading the article!

I played trombone in the LHS marching band in the early 90's. Most of my fondest memories of that era are far from being suitable for posting in a public forum..... However, there are a few that I can list here:

- The Canadian Thanksgiving Day Parade in Kitchener, Ontario, where we figured out about halfway through that the distance of the parade had been given to us in miles, not kilometers
- Same trip, leaving my wallet (and more importantly its contents) in the hotel room and having to borrow Canadian money from the generous band parents the rest of the weekend
- Same trip again, learning German drinking songs at an Oktoberfest-themed dinner and later adapting them into stand cheers at football games (much to Mr. Maskow's chagrin)
- Pre-game potlucks and after-game parties every Friday during the season

I made many great lifelong friends in the LHS band, many of whom I see and talk to on a regular basis. I will post a link to this thread on Facebook - hopefully some more people will chime in!

Quote: "Most of my fondest memories of that era are far from being suitable for posting in a public forum....."

Oh, how MUCH I was thinking those same thoughts....

Back to the bass drum QUICKLY!

Now what was that? 23 1/2 inch step lengths? 8 steps to 5 yards? Land on the line on the ball of your foot! ON THE LINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pivot right! YOUR OTHER RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU JUST RAN INTO THE TUBA PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, it ALL starts to come flashing back to me now...

Sean DeRenzo, LHS Class of 1983 marching band trumpet player, will be playing Taps at the memorial service for Jane Scott to be held a the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jane served as a US Navy WAVE -- the organizers thought it would be appropriate to have a representative of Jane's alma mater participate in the service. Quite an honor!

Sean has also been one of the organizers of the annual Alumni marching band participants at the annual Homecoming football game.