There are millions of memories made while in North Royalton’s Band, including these handfuls that each and every member can remember.
1. “To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is to be in trouble.”
This quote was ingrained in your brain since the day band camp started. There was nothing worse than running to your squad when called to attention. Unless warm-ups already started—then you just wanted to hide.
2. Summer T-shirt days
In a sea of white T-shirts, there was almost always one kid in a bright or neon-colored shirt that without a doubt would be called out at some point by the man on the roof, Mr. Vitale.
3. Painting sessions and Wednesday night 6-9s
Throughout August, all Wednesday night 6-to-9 practices were painting sessions (unless for some reason, we all gave 101 percent dedication to the first few painting sessions which resulted in actually learning our dots).
Painting sessions were dreaded yet loved at the same time. Members chatted with others around them, strengthening the bond of the band as a whole. And as long as your "luggage" (aka drawstring bags filled with water, candy and summer reading books) was on your back, you could find simple ways to entertain yourself and those around you.
4. Scheduling all of your summer plans before August
If you were in North Royalton’s band, you know that August is dedicated entirely to band camp. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday, with the hour-long lunch and dinner break, you were at band camp.
5. Potholes
Potholes were everywhere, and when it rained, potholes turned into small lakes in the middle of the staff parking lot. But you’re a band kid, so rain doesn’t scare you and you know at some point, the field commanders and/or Mr. Nary were going to take a giant push broom and push the water out of the pothole. However, if you are like me, you probably have (or will) end up falling into a giant water-filled pothole during rehearsal the morning of states your senior year. Thank you, giant, ridiculously fast backward march.
6. Rain? Of course, we’re still going to march…
…Unless it was thundering or lightning and we had to be inside. After marching in NoRo’s band for four years, I have become immune to rain. Giant pothole filled with rainwater? No problem, I can backwards march right over that while playing my instrument. Immensely muddy field of grass? Definitely irritating, but still a piece of cake.
7. Yelling for water
Sometimes carrying a drawstring bag filled with water was too much of a hassle, so going out into the heat with only yourself, your music and your instrument was common. However, after an hour or so of practice, it was typical for a few kids (typically drummers or tubas) to start yelling up to the man on the roof for a break.
8. The struggle of picking a locker
No matter where your locker was located, it was inevitable that you were either stepped on or stepped on someone to reach your locker. By the end of the first week or so of band camp, you didn’t even mind the sweaty and sticky people climbing all over you, because you were just as sticky and sweaty, too.
9. “On your dot”
When Vitale called “on your dot,” you got on your dot. The Side A and Side B friend group circles immediately ceased to exist (as much as we could have sat there forever) and you paid attention and moved to the next set. By the end of your high school career, “on your dot” could be played back into your head like a favorite song. To this day, I can still hear the whistle and Vitale’s voice calling us to attention during rehearsal.
10. “Your left!”
At some point, you realized the importance of understanding your left from your right, because one of the most embarrassing things you could hear echoing from the roof is, “Your left… no, your left, your left!” (Cue a loud Vitale sigh into the mic.)
11. Fruit sale
Finally, a Saturday morning off during marching season! Just kidding—it was also time for the band’s biggest fundraiser, the fruit sale. Attendance and participation was required, but hey, we raised a lot of money every year and we got pizza at the end!
12. Contests
Saturdays throughout the fall were contest days. Contests were by far the best part of marching band, especially at North Royalton. Contests were the place to show off all of your hard work throughout the end of summer and all through the fall. Qualifying for states at the first contest and superior ratings were always (and still are) the main goals to achieve. After every performance, everyone went slightly separate ways for a few minutes, running to concessions and the bathrooms. However, we all once again came together at the end to scream and cheer during awards.
13. Away games
Bus rides with your closest friends, some band parents and the directors created some of the greatest memories of marching band. Plus, you learned the important task of being able to stuff your face, change your clothes and put together an instrument all while on a moving vehicle, all in a matter of seconds.
14. Buses breaking down
At least once in your band career, a bus broke down. Whether it broke down locally or on a highway to a contest, you were prepared to make room for friends or jump on to another bus as quickly as possible.
15. Quasi
If you don’t know what quasi means or who even uses the word, were you even in the band?
16. “Set for a final run…”
After three long hours of Wednesday night rehearsal, the last thing we all wanted to hear was “set for a final run!” However, once senior year hit, the last “set for a final run…” had some emotion attached.
17. Parade practice in the parking lot
…Guide! That is all.
18. Disney
Band took up your life, but it was wonderful, especially when you got to relax and explore for a week with all of your friends and your band family in Disney World. Plus, not a lot of people can say they performed at Disney World or have been backstage at Disney.
19. Band banquet
Filled with silly superlatives, memory videos, director gifts and plenty of jokes and stories from the season, band banquet was an event nobody wanted to miss.
20. “Kids, we’re doing this for you!”
Band kids can get a little rowdy and a little distracted (OK, we can get really distracted). At some point throughout your band career, you sat in silence with your fellow band members while the directors told you to step it up and emphasized their dedication to you and the band as a whole.
21. The legacy of superior
25 consecutive years of superior ratings are an amazing legacy to have been a part of. There was nothing better than hearing the judges announce a “1” at contests, especially at States.
22. Senior states and director hugs
After four years of immense dedication to one group, there’s an emotional attachment to the organization and all of the individuals involved. Senior states was a time of reflection, determination, crying, director hugs and more crying. Chills ran down your spine while you “took the field” one last time.
23. Family
Throughout all four years of high school, almost every band kid (especially during marching season) probably spent more time at rehearsals, games, contests and practices than they did with their own families. The North Royalton band is without a doubt one giant family. We fought through the challenges and the difficulties to come out together as one on the top.
I am forever grateful and thankful for my four years within North Royalton’s Band. I would not have wanted to dedicate myself to any other organization more.
“Band, ten hut!”
"One!"
