1995-1996 Vermilion Sailor Marching Band

Director: Joseph Price

Head Majorette: Adrien Hess

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1995-1996 Vermilion Sailor Marching Band

New marchers get early start

Beginning July 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, all freshmen recruits and new marchers began practicing their moves at the Vermilion High School practice field with the help of some veteran upperclassmen serving as student trainers. Learning the basics will allow them to fit in with the experienced Sailor Band members who will begin Monday, Aug. 7 with a new, concentrated band camp concept of practicing.

All percussionists also reported to begin their music workout on July 31 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Their extra, practices run throughout this week.

Any new marchers or percussionists still interested in joining the band need to begin attending sessions this week. Call the senior high band office at 967-0641 for more information.

Sailor Marching Band begins camp

All Sailor Marching Band members reported to their first practice on Monday, Aug. 7, beginning a new approach to their annual summer practice. The rehearsal time this summer will be telescoped into two weeks of a band camp style format with practices from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Previously the band practiced four full weeks including two evenings each week.

“By concetrating our sessions into two weeks, we hope to not only focus our efforts, but all, because the number of weeks of practice is cut in half to avoid scheduling conflicts of our students. It is very important that every be at every practice so we don’t need to absorb time with re-teaching. We’re aiming to be efficient with our approach,” says Price, the Sailor Band director.

Practices will run from August 7 to August 18 in double sessions from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m, with Friday practices from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with none at night.

Fiedler leads band flag corp

When the Sailor Marching Band takes the field, it is with the flourish of a flag corps under the directior of advisor, Lisa Fiedler, who brings with her a wide range of experience and enthusiasm.

“In Medieval times the castles always sported flags to signify their colors, their identity. It’s this kind of pageantry showing off Vermilion’s very own colors, that helps the corps enhance the band’s performance,” says Fiedler.

Lisa established a Vermilion flag corps in the early 1980’s, then went on to work with corps in North Royalton, Lakewood and Medina. Last season a group of five flags returned to the Vermilion field and this year thathas doubled to ten. Sailorway Middle School has consistently had a flag program to accompany its marching band and last fall had 55 students audition to be part of the squad. All but two of the current Sailor Marching Band flag corps members began their participation with the group while in middle school.

When she was a student at Bowling Green State University, Lisa was a horn player in the band. After college graduation she found herself missing band a great deal. “Since I wasn’t a music major, I had to find a new way — something really different –to become involved with marching band again. I went to one Saturday workshop about how to start a flag corps and I was ready to roll. When I look back at it now, it was a pretty gutsy thing to do — but I was young and nothing was going to stop me from being part of the excitement of marching band again.”

Her enthusiasm carries over to her students who execute their flag maneuvers with pride. Says Fiedler, “One of my group is actively looking for a college with a Flag Corp. Flags provide another avenue of involvement. Students who aren’t musicians can still experience the joy of being in band.”

Lisa teaches at Sailorway Middle School and is the wife of Roy Fiedler and mother of Jonathan and Nicholas Fiedler.

Clark lands VHS majorette corp

Decades of majorette tradition continue in the Sailor Marching Band thanks to the able leadership of Dawn Clark, current advisor, former majorette, and daughter of the recently retired band director, Dave Henry.

Mrs. Clark’s earliest memories of band reach back to her childhood when Pam Mangus was head majorette. “When I was very little I went to my first band practice–and knew from the first moment that someday I would be a majorette. That dream was realized, and now, in my role as the advisor the dream continues.”

Dawn received early baton tips from both Pam Mangus and Becky Nickol, but it was Judy Clark, Dawn’s sister-in-law and former head majorette who fine-tuned her technique. “Judy was like a drill sergeant. If I wasn’t getting it right, Judy was tough on me. She taught me the importance of precision and accuracy.”

Being the object of watchful eyes and high expectations was the norm for Dawn, not only as a majorette but as a trumpet in the band during both middle and high school. “I never had a band director except for my father. Because I was his daughter, he was tougher on me and my brother than on anyone else. We had to be the ones to do it right.”

This tradition of toughness has followed through in Dawn’s own instructional style. “It’s my goal to have all of the girls in the squad as mirror images of each other. I stop our practice and show tapes to make sure that each hand is at the same level, and each knee raised to the same height. When we’re out on
that field we are not individuals. We are a squad…and as a squad, we are part of the bigger band…the bigger picture.”

The Sailor Band majorettes begin working in the beginning of July, logging at least 30 hours of practice before the band begins to drill in August. In addition, Dawn meets with the middle school majorettes once a week throughout July and August. There is a very big carryover from working with the majorette squad in middle school to following through the high school program.

Dawn’s majorette skills extend beyond the advisory capacity each fall when the Vermilion High School Alumni Band prepares its show for the annual festival. Although she helps teach the drill to returning twirlers, she also picks up the baton herself to take the field. She has marched with the group since its inception–all but one season–when her son was born three days prior to the show!

When asked how she came to be involved as the majorette advisor, Dawn replied, “I started it all as a favor to my dad….and then somehow I never gave it up. I guess I just love doing it!”

Dawn is the daughter of Dave and Judy Henry, wife of Rick Clark, and mother of Ashley and Branden Clark.

Emery is band assistant director

A familiar Vermilionite, Bobbi Emery, has joined the staff of the Sailor Marching Band for this fall’s season as assistant to the band’s director, Joseph Price.

A graduate of Vermilion High School in 1976, Bobbi returns to her hometown with a wide array of experience. Currently, she teaches beginning instrumentalists in the Clearview District and also works with students grades 1-5 in general music. In addition to her full-time job, last year Bobbi ran the marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands for Southview High School in Lorain. Previously she was assistant band director at both Southview and Clearview and ran the instrumental music program at Lorain Catholic for two years. During her senior year of college at Ashland University, she wrote and taught all the drills for the college band.

In the midst of all this, Bobbi has found time to be the Orchestral Director for Lorain Community Music Theater for the past decade, often being the one consistent link as production crews changed from year to year. She also plays in the Lorain Community College Band.

Bobbi has maintained strong roots in Vermilion, having played in the Vermilion Alumni Band since its inception. She began playing her trumpet in the pit for the Vermilion High School musicals when she was a student here and is invited back every year by orchestral director, Price. “Dave Henry started me on my instrument. Bill Burt was my high school director and Joe and I have a long association of not only playing together but playing for each other in our musicals — me in Vermilion and he at LCMT. I’m really excited to be working with Joe as part of the Sailor Marching Band again.”

Her first day of band practice this August provided not only a trip down memory lane but also a realization. “Over the years I’ve worked with students in other districts, but have been distanced from young people in Vermilion. When I came to practice what I saw the same as every place else — a bunch of great kids having a lot of fun with band. That’s what makes being involved with music so exciting.”

Bobbi is the daughter of Jerry and Nancy Emery of Vermilion.

Three’s not a crowd in VHS band

Anyone looking for Nichole, Brandon, or Lisa Grote need only find the Sailor Marching Band where the
three siblings add their musical, marching. and twirling talents to the rest of the ensemble.

“It’s pretty unusual to have three members of the same family in band all at one time'” says Joe Price, the Sailor Band director, “but we’re certainly both lucky and happy to have these three!”

Nichole, a majorette, has seniority in the group, having participated in symphonic: band, solo ensemble contests as well as marching band throughout her middle and high school years. Last spring, she played her flute in the pit for Vermilion’s musical, Once Upon Mattress: “For me, band has been a real learning experience. It’s been hard work, but it’s been worth every minute. Besides meeting the full practice and performance schedule, Nichole juggles two jobs…one at Mike’s Freestyle Cafe and the other at the Candy Shop.

Brandon, a junior trumpet player takes full advantage of all musical opportunities available to instrumentalists. “I’m in marching band, jazz band, pep band, and I was in symphonic band. I participate in solo and ensemble contests and the only reason I didn’t play in last year’s pit is because I was stage manager! I try to be everv place at the same time, but sometimes it’s just not possible!”

Lisa, a freshman this fall, is still waiting to discover what other high school activities will capture her attention, but for now is happy marching with her clarinet. “At first, I wasn’t sure was going to like marching band, but now I think it’s a lot of fun. I’m glad to have three more years ahead of me.

Even with all this enthusiasm, sibling Nichole, Brandon, and Lisa Grote rivalry sometimes rears its ugly head. At last year’s band banquet, Brandon won the award for “Always On Time.” Nichole protested that she’s the one who always drove him to practice, but Brandon still went home with the title!

One thing that all three Grotes agree about is that long after high school has ended for each of them, their memories of band, ranging from falling down during the high steps before a performance, to getting drenched and landing in the mud at Anthony Wayne’s Festival, and even duct tape during freshman initiation, will remain with them forever.

Nichole, Brandon, and Lisa’s parents are Donald and Cynthia Grote, both of whom grew up in Vermilion.

Marching Band approaches festival season

In addition to the Sailor Marching Band’s musical support of Vermilion’s gridders at all Friday games, they also maintain a busy Saturday schedule through September and into early October traveling to other northern Ohio schools to perform at band festivals.

Band festivals consist of six to ten bands that are invited to perform extended shows. Enthusiastic parents and other hometown supporters follow their bands to these festivals often having as much fun as the band members. Through these festivals, the Sailor Marching Band performs for thousands of spectators across northern Ohio.

The Sailors will be participating in four festivals this fall. First, on September 9, the band will travel to Dover High School in the heart of Amish country. On Saturday, September 16, the Sailors will be the guests of the Rockets of Bay Village and on October 7 will perform for our good neighbors to the southwest at Edison High School. September 30 marks the date of Vermilion’s own 24th Sailor Band Festival.

In addition to festivals, our band performs twice annually in televised events that bring notoriety to our fair town: the Woollybear Parade and the TV-8 Christmas Parade. Combine their televised performances with appearances at games and festivals, the Sailor Marching Band is the most visible of all of our school groups.

Please join us in supporting our band at the above festivals. For traveling directions call the Band Office 967-0641.

Goddard to emcee annual band festival

When Woollybears come to Vermilion, so do marching bands, and this year is no exception. Besides the
dozens of bands appearing in Sunday’s Parade, there will be eight bands performing at the 24th Annual Sailor Marching Band Festival, Saturday night, September 30 at the high school field beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Dick Goddard will once again serve as emcee of the event as bands from across northern Ohio entertain with their extended festival shows. Visiting bands include the Elyria Patriots, the Open Door Patriot Marching Band, The Edison Chargers, the Marching Little Giants from Fremont Ross, the Ashland
High School Marching Band and Ashtabula County’s Jefferson High School Band. Jefferson, who will also be participating in the Woollybear Parade, will be the overnight guest of Sailor Band families.

Of course, no Vermilion Band Festival would be complete without our own two local instrumental groups.
Look for a spirited performance from our Alumni Band under the direction of Bill Burt. Holding with tradition, our own Sailor Band will close the show. Director Joe Price urges, “Come share the enthusiasm of these dedicated musicians as they proudly present their shows to kick off Woollybear weekend.” Tickets are available at the gate $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and students.

Schools welcome out-of-town bands

The 1995 Woollybear Festival will be a record-breaker in many respects. Not only in numbers will this Woollybear 23 crowd break a record. Woollybear 23 also marks a record in the number of bands who
will march in the Woollybear Parade, and the number of participants.

“We’ve got more bands than we’ve had,” said Vermilion Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice-President Darlene Watkin. “We’ve broken a record.”

Thirty-four bands are slated to appear in this year’s festival, which breaks the old record of 30. One hundred twenty buses are expected to come rolling in, bringing an estimated 3,500-plus band participants.

Once again, the Vermilion Local School District is no small part of the festivities. As buses come to Vermilion, they are given directions on where to park. From there, new Superintendent Dr. Burton Schoffman and his crew will welcome each band member with a Woollybear welcome package, which
consists of a Woollybear 23 patch, and an apple.

Vermilion Intermediate School Principal George Harizal writes a letter to welcome each of the bands, and the VIS P.TO. sells food and refreshments as a fundraiser to band members. Watkin called the school district’s part of the welcoming committee, “super hospitality.”

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

On Friday evening as the Vermilion High School Marching Band was arriving for their first performance of the season, an unfortunate car/pedestrian accident occurred behind the high school. What was initally a desperate situation was expediently relieved by the quick response of Vermilion’s police, ambulance, fire and heavy rescue squads. The thoroughness of all involved gave me complete assurance that my student was receiving the best possible care and that everything possible was being done to relieve the pain she had to be feeling.

As a teacher, a band director and a parent, this experience has again proven to me the incalculable value of our rescue services. The members of these groups deserve our enthusiastic praise and our continuing support.

Special thanks is also well deserved by Gayle Lapp for her assistance and Hobart Johnson for his quick action and support.

I would be remiss if I did not applaud the Sailor Marching Band members, my students, for their resolve to swallow their emotions and do a fine show at the Firelands game in the face of great adversity.

I am extremely proud to be associated with all of you.

Joseph N. Price
Sailor Marching Band Director

Vermilion Bands – Vermilion Sailor Marching Bands – 1990-1999 Vermilion Sailor Marching Band