1966-1967 Vermilion Sailor Marching Band
Director: William Burt
Head Majorette: Sue Fultz
Image Gallery:
Left to Right: Martha Idol, Georgia Wakefield, Ava Wise, Dana Forcum, Sue Fultz, Gale Washabaugh, Carol Gleason, Jean Pratt, Candy Athey
Band Earns $1579
The students in the Music Department of Vermilion High School, including all bands and choirs, earned a profit of $1,579 in their recent magazine drive. This money will be used for uniforms and equipment.
Five students earned prizes for selling $100 worth of subscriptions and renewals. They were Tom Liston, Debbie Rust, Jerry Showalter, Dennis Sennhenn, and Gail Kishman.
Chariman of this project this years was Mrs. Curtis Ayars who says orders may still be placed through her.
Strike Up the Band
“Vermilion High School is proud to present its 1966 Sailor Marching Band under the direction of William Burt, assisted by David Henry. The field director and head majorette is Miss Susan Fultz.”
At every varsity football game you can count on hearing an announcement similar to this one and on seeing a band show that has had a lot of hard work put into it.
Out band immediately gains attention with its dignified Anchors Aweigh Fanfare and sharp precision drilling that is different from any other band’s in the area. Its drills are mainly “company front” Cassavant style that have been adapted by Mr. Burt, and it’s the style of drilling that gives Vermilion such distinction. At the end of every show the Band leaves the field with a flourish and the Anchors Aweigh Fanfare.
Only aft seeing such a band show can you appreciate how much work has gone into it. The members began work on their shows six weeks before school started, around August the first, by coming to band every morning for four weeks just to work on music. Then two weeks before school started the band practiced on the football field every morning and every evening on drills, maneuvers, and steps with and without music. It was then that the 1966 Sailors developed a regular audience.
It was also then that they heard the first complaints that they weren’t quite what they used to be, but there was good reason for that. On-third of the band had never marched on the football field due to the three-year band system. But in spite of this slow start the general opinion, and that of Mr. Burt, is that the 1966 Sailors compare favorably with our past bands. The crowds have always enjoyed our style of marching; our solid sound, well-arranged music and authority on the field. It was this popularity that won the Sailors invitations to Oberlin, Massilon, and Wellington Band Festivals, and the Brown’s stadium, the Cleveland Arena, and won them the right to be one of the two bands to represent Ohio in the International Lions Club Convention’s Parade in 1964. The trophies from these and other events are now on display in the trophy case at the South Decatur Street entrance. But even with all of this background, a band can only be as good as its directors, and Vermilion is lucky to have of the greatest, Mr. Burt and Mr. Henry. Mr. Burts influence on the band since he joined us in 1955 has really been remarkable and has proven the truth of this statement. Mr. Henry has only been with us since 1965 and he is already leaving his mark on our Sailors.
The band is not through for the year with the last football game, because the band’s duties aren’t limited to the football field. The band is looking forward to basketball season when they provide a pep band. the Halloween Parade October 27th, the Memorial Day Parade, the Band Banquet given by the Music Boosters on November 22nd, and the concert season with the Winter Concert February 4th and the Spring Concert May 12th.
So let’s stay around during half-time, watch the band show and show them how much they’re appreciated.
A Farewell Salute by Lola Hall
The show was over and there they were: thirty Seniors (playing with the other band members) their school Alma Mater in front of their favorite fans. In those few moments, the feelings felt from years swept through their minds, as they there wearing their Sailor uniform for the last time.
Many may not think this such a sad moment, but when you march off that field, you suddenly realize you’ve marched your final half-time show.
The Senior members of this year’s (1966-1967) marching band felt, along with me, just that way. It’s a moment that’s past and can’t be repeated. Four years of marching half-time shows and Band festivals are ended in a solemn salute of playing the school Alma Mater.
But it’s not all sadness, for these Seniors will take memories of fun and hard work with them.
Taking a looking into the past will find that this class is probably the most fortunate. This years’ Seniors were the last class to begin their band years in the fourth grade. They also were the last Freshmean Class to march in the varsity band. They will be the last of those who made the Toronto Trip and to wear the “ole” style band hat (This many of them to keep??)
Of these thirty band members graduating, four of them will be leaving the majorette squad. All but one of the girls has been in band since Jr. High, but the feeling is the same. For these girls and the marching band, it’s over. The next step will be Memorial Day, but to the thirty Seniors it won’t be the same as the feeling experienced last Friday Night as they on their home field playing the Alma Mater.
Those also leaving will be our two band managers, Cynthia Foster and Tom Maurer, who worked hard to see that everything needed for marching season was there and ready.
Those Seniors who marched for the last time last Friday are: Maria Agen, Nancy Ayars, Sue Bachman, Gary Dropko, Robert Deval, Susan Fultz (Head Majorette), Bonnie Greenwood, Lola Hall, Peter Hart, Kevin Horn, Marcha Idol (marjorette), Diane Jeffery, Dennis Johnson, Roberta Johnson, Penny Kishman, Don McClimmans, Jill Mikola, David Moes, John Neff, Paul (Stu) Naegle, Jean Pratt (majorette), Pat Prieur, Susan Reiber, Keith Seibert, Trudy Tische, Ellen Trinter, Barb Warner, Debbie Zerad, and Dana Forcum (majorette).
Band Banquet
The banquet honoring the Marching Band was held Tuesday, November 22, in the high school cafeteria with the Marching Band and their parents in attendance. Guests at the head table included Dr. and Mrs. Zinn, Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder, and Miss Bouy.
After a delicious meal Dr. Zinn said “a few words” and Mr. Burt congratulated the band and their parents on a fine year. Debbie Zerad then thanked Mr. Burt on behalf of the Senior band members.
One of the high points of the evening was reading the Marching Band Senior’s Last Well and Testament to be found elsewhere in the paper.
Band Seniors Honored
The music boosters honored the members of the Sailor Marching Band, the majorettes, and other band personnel at their annual dinner at the high school cafeteria Tuesday night.
Thirty-two seniors were members of this year’s band or majorettes. They are Maria Agen, Nancy Ayars, Susan Bachman, Gary Dropko, Robert Duval, Dana Forcum, Cynthia Foster, Susan Fultz, Bonnie Greenwood, Lola Hall, Peter Hart, Kevin Horn, Martha Idol, Diane Jeffery, Dennis Johnson, Roberta Johnson, Penny Kishman, Tom Maurer, Don McClimmans, Jill Mikola, David Moes, Stuart Naegle, John Neff, Jean Pratt, Pat Prieur, Susan Reiber, Keith Siebert, Trudy Tische, Ellen Trinter, Barbara Warner, Debbie Zerad.
The Dinner Menu included tomato juice, chicken fried steak, green beans, cole slaw and apple rings, hot rolls and butter, apply cake with whipped cream, coffee and milk.
The Booster Magazine drive netted nearly $1600. It was pointed out that the uniforms worn by members, including the parkas, amounts to nearly $100.
The Sailor vocal group will join with Amherst and Midview to present a choir festival at Amherst next Friday Dec. 2.
Senior Band Members’ Last Will and Testament
Sue Bachman — “I leave my ability to memorize shows to Judy Smarr and my enthusiasm need to Debbis Rust.”
Martha Idol and Jean Pratt – “We leave out batons that someone stole to whoever did it.”
Sue Reiber – “I leave all Jack McClurkin’s many remarks to whomever has the courage to march next to him next year.”
Kevin Horn – “My busted trumpet to Gart Grob.”
John Neff – “To Mike Liston I leave my great flashing ability.”
Bobbie Johnson – “I leave to “poor Mr. Burt” my two dedicated sisters and to Glenn I leave the grass, straw, and the hay.”
Pat Prieur – “To Joann West, I leave all my worries and problems just before putting the shows.”
Peter Hart – “I’d like to take it with me.”
Gary Dropko – “I leave the song “Have Nagalia” to anyone stupid enough to learn. thewords. I also pass along. thesaying “Hey, a train just went by.”
Trudy Tischer – “I leave my trips to Lawson’s after the banquet to Mike Heys and Bob Nichols and to Ron Shobert the stero demonstration record and eighth period.“
Keith Seibert – “To Dennis Tansey I leave my ability to do the wrong thing at the wrong time, at the wrong place and in the wrong frame of mind.”
David Moes – “To Jack McClurkin, I leave my ability to march, and. to Glen Duncan my ability to play baritone saxm and to anyone who’s interested, my green ’54 Buick.”
Don McClimmans – “I leave watching other people march to Lynn McCullough.”
Nancy Ayars – “I leave all my broken reeds, and my mistakes to Amber Polzin.”
Marie Agen – “I leave all mu warped reeds (to anyone, saxophone player) who would like to build. a bonfire.”
Tom Maurer – “I leave all my back room sleeping worries to any fool who wants them.”
Jill Mikola – “I leave all my great talent in precision drilling to Lynn and all the mud on the football field. to Joy Kerchinski.”
Debbie Zerad – “I leave to Dianne Marcum, who’s been so generous all season, a fifth of valve oil.”
Diane Jeffery – “I leave all my worries and pains to Kay Hess, for Mr. Burt to care for. I also leave my after game taxi service to Ted Konnerth if he can find. ared Corvair, and any future baritone troubles to Bonnie.”
Bob Duval – “I leave all my ad-libbing to Ted Konnerth and Grubby. I think they can handle it.”
Sue Backus – “I leave my fingerless gloves to Lynn and all the music that won’t fit into my piccolo case to Lynn and all the music that won’t fit into my piccolo case to next year’s secretary.”
Barb Warner – “I leave my clarinet in marching band to anyone who sensible enough to march at the end of the line.”
Ellen Trinter – “I leave my marching position next to the drums and cymbals to anyone who has strong ears and a good pair of earplugs.”
Penny Kishman – “I leave the much and cold to Diane Marcum and all my memorized songs to Debbie Rust.”
Dennis Johnson – “I leave my tenor saxophone strap which is now on the New London football field to Jerry Showalter.”
Bonnie Greenwood – “I leave to Margie Griffith the dubious honor of being the only girl drummer.”
Sue Fultz – “I sorrowfully regret that I leave to the future head majorettes the following: when Mr. Burt leaves you at the goal line with 80 uniformed followers and says “It’s all yours!”
Dana Forcum – “I leave my cold nights with an icicle to twirl”
Stu Naegle – “I leave my prized marching position in the middle of the band to Harold Casterline or some other deserving drummer.”
Vermilion Bands – Vermilion Sailor Marching Bands – 1960-1969 Vermilion Sailor Marching Bands