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The spirit of service is inspired by the legacy of the late Michael D. Sewell, who dedicated his life to school and community music programs in Pickerington and the Central Ohio area for more than 38 years. Mr. Sewell always said, “The most important gift you can give someone is your time.”


The national SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC program highlights contributions bands make to their communities while also giving musicians a way to share in the values and ideals of Saluting America's Band Directors. SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC is a unique program created especially for members of The Band Directors Marching Band and their students. 


Below and on the following pages is a sampling of current & past SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC projects submitted by members of The Band Directors Marching Band.


See an overview of our planned SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC performance in New York City preceding the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as our local 9/11 events.

Service Through Music Events

Pennsylvania HS Bands Combine to Remember September 11

On September 12, 2025, the Shamokin Area High School Band and the Jersey Shore  Area High School Band combined at their annual rivalry football game to perform the  National Anthem. This event was organized to honor those lives lost on September 11th on this the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks. The combined performance was  also in honor all local first responders. 


The Shamokin Area High School Band is led by Kevin Styer. Kevin is a baritone player  in The Band Directors Marching Band 


Saluting America’s Band Directors congratulates the young musicians of Shamokin  Area High School and Jersey Shore Area High School for showing how “The Magic in  Teamwork” can support and lift up communities through music.

Mt. Juliet HS Musicians Combine to Produce 9-11 Salute Video

Musicians from two ensembles at Mt. Juliet High School joined forces to produce a  concert video in commemoration of Patriot Day, September 11, 2025. Performers included  members of both the Mt. Juliet Concert Band and the Mt. Juliet Marching Band. The  five-minute video featured “The Star Spangled Banner,” “The Pledge of Allegiance,” and  an arrangement of “Taps.” It was distributed on 9-11 so that teachers/classes/students  could watch, listen, and discuss. Here is a link to the video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lx074a_luw 


Mt. Juliet High School is in Wilson County, Tennessee. The band is led by Tony Cox  who plays snare drum in The Band Directors Marching Band. Mr. Cox reports that, “We  already have plans to make this bigger in the future by including TOTC, Choir, and  Theatre groups in the performance.” 

Congratulations to the students of the Mt. Juliet special combined band for showing the  “Magic in Teamwork” by using music in service to their school community!

Bands From UNCP and FSU Combine For Military Appreciation Night Performance

On September 6, 2025, UNC Pembroke celebrated Military Appreciation Night at the annual "Two Rivers Classic" football game against nearby rival Fayetteville State University. During halftime, the bands from both schools came together to perform "America the Beautiful" in honor of military personnel, veterans, and first responders.

Band Directors Marching Band member Meggan Hollis, assistant director of the UNCP "Spirit of the Carolinas" Marching Band, conducted the 190-member combined band for the performance, and 6,000 people were in attendance at the game. Athletic band directors from both schools, Dr. Michael Tignor (UNCP) and Prof. Austin Chalmers (FSU), were also in attendance, and each school performed their own halftime shows before the combined performance. 

The "Two Rivers Classic" is named for the Lumber and Cape Fear Rivers, which run through the universities' respective counties, and has been a rivalry game for over a decade. 

Although the teams are fierce competitors, the bands have frequently performed together, showing the "Magic in Teamwork" that music brings to communities. 

Rivals Celebrate the “Magic in Teamwork” in NW Ohio

On Friday, September 5, 2025, the Fairview Marching Band of Pride and the Bryan Golden Bear Band performed a combined halftime at the Fairview Football Game. Separated by only eight miles of cornfields, the two northwest Ohio schools have a bitter football rivalry that was suspended for over 40 years due to the hostilities between the two schools. In 2017, the two teams resumed their competition.


The football teams might be rivals, but the marching bands have no acrimony. Performing together is just one step toward having a friendly rivalry. The halftime show had both bands performing one drill separately. Then marching together but divided by the 50-yard line, and then finally coming together for the last 2 songs. Halftime was dedicated to educators from both schools whose commitment to learning and growth drives progress for a better future. Band members from both schools then submitted videos about their most influential educator.


The band director at Bryan High School is Jason Luthy. Kari Rosania (head director) and Julee Bayliss (assistant director) led the Fairview High School Band. Rosania and Bayliss are both members of The Band Directors Marching Band.


Congratulations to the 82 musicians of Fairview and Bryan High Schools and their directors for using the “Magic in Teamwork” and music in service to their communities!

Bands in NE Ohio Team Up to Honor First Responders and Others

Marching Bands from seven schools in northeast Ohio combined to honor local First Responders, volunteers, and others. Charles Miller is the Director of Instrumental Music at Columbiana Middle and High Schools and a member of The Band Directors Marching Band. Mr. Miller reports:

“On August 23, 2025, our community gathered for the 6th Annual Columbiana Showcase of Bands, held at 6:30 p.m. in the newly renovated Fisher Stadium at Firestone Park. What began as a small “potluck” preview for the Clipper Band has grown over the past decade into a highly anticipated community event.

“This year’s showcase featured seven bands:

Sebring Trojan Marching Band (Sebring, OH)

Lisbon Blue Devil Marching Band (Lisbon, OH)

Southern Local “Mighty Indian” Marching Band (Salineville, OH) – Director: Emily Bowling (BDMB member)

East Palestine Bulldog Marching Band (East Palestine, OH) – Director: Jennifer Mollenkauf (BDMB member); Assistant Director: Kyle Zimmerman (BDMB member)

Crestview Rebel Marching Band (Columbiana, OH) – Director: Eric Bable (BDMB member)

Beaver Local “Red Pride” Marching Band (Lisbon, OH)

Columbiana Clipper Marching Band (Columbiana, OH) – Director: Charles Miller (BDMB member)


“In total, more than 350 student musicians performed for an audience of approximately 1,100 community members. The showcase provides rural schools in Columbiana and Mahoning Counties with the opportunity to share their students’ hard work and dedication from the summer season while celebrating the spirit of community.


“Since August 2023, the Saluting America’s Band Directors edition of Amazing Grace (arranged by Bob Thurston) has been a cornerstone of our program. Each year, we close the showcase by honoring our local first responders (police, fire, EMS, and dispatch). This year, we expanded that recognition to include our parents, caregivers, volunteers, and participating band students — a reminder that no member of our organizations, whether student, staff, or volunteer, is greater than the other. Together, these groups embody “The Magic in Teamwork,” the theme of the 2026 Rose Parade.

“Through this project, our students and families have created a tradition that unites multiple school districts while highlighting the spirit, pride, and acceptance that music brings to our community. We are grateful to Saluting America’s Band Directors for the opportunity to share how music education fosters teamwork, service, and community pride.”


Congratulations to these seven bands. The “Magic in Teamwork” is certainly alive in northeast Ohio!

Members of Five Community Bands Salute First Responders in Pennsylvania

Sharon Styer is a clarinet player in The Band Directors Marching Band. Sharon reported a wonderful Service Through Music project that included members of multiple community bands:


“On August 7, 2025, our Service Through Music program included a salute to local first responders and local community members through a combined Symphonic Band Concert consisting of over 50 members from area community bands in and around Central Pennsylvania. ‘The Magic in Teamwork’ was evident as musicians from five area community bands displayed their talents. Bands included were Sunbury City Band, Catawissa Community Band, Danville Community Band, Milton Community Band, and the Anthracite Symphonic Band. Kevin Styer, BDMB member, served as Director.

Sharon Styer, BDMB member, played principal clarinet and performed as vocalist for several selections including the “Star-Spangled Banner Finale,” as originally performed by Sandi Patti.”


Congratulations to the members of the five community bands in central Pennsylvania who teamed up using music to serve their community!

Ogden, Utah, Celebrates Pioneer Day with Combined Band 2025

The Pioneer Day parade in Ogden celebrates the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers who helped

establish the state of Utah. This year, we, the Band Directors of the Weber County School District, put together a Combined District Marching Band to provide our musical celebration of the founding of our State. The band included students from five high schools and eight junior high schools. Over 120

musicians and flag team members joined forces to march and celebrate our community!!       


The band came together three days before the parade to work on music and marching. It was a great

experience to provide this opportunity of service to our community. We wanted to represent the power of " Collaboration / Teamwork " and show our community the Power of Music. We are hoping to make this a yearly tradition to bring our school music community together to foster growth, foster teamwork and to celebrate the greatest gift we can give to our community - Music!!!


Three members of The Band Directors Marching Band were among those leading the combined band: Joseph Windsor (West Field HS), Taylor Shinney (Orion JH), and Matthew Kenney (Roy HS). Other participating directors were Taylor Van Bibber (Weber HS), Timothy Koster (Bonneville HS), Tristan Reeder (Fremont HS), Kendrick Matheson (Snowcrest JH), David Sowby (Mountain View JH), Spencer Howe (Rocky Mountain JH), Kaden Byington (South Ogden JH), Lena Wood (Roy JH), Sam Wise (Sand Ridge JH), Christian Manly (North Ogden JH), Bryce Chamberlain (T.H. Bell JH), and Tristan Reeder (Wahlquist JH).

Congratulations to the young musicians of Ogden, Utah and their directors for using the “Magic in Teamwork” to provide a most impressive service to their community.

"We Band Together" in Columbiana, Ohio

Columbiana High School Marching Band under the direction of Charles Miller and Meg Silver hosted their 4th Annual Clipper Band Showcase on Saturday, August 26, 2023 in Columbiana, Ohio. Featuring seven area high school bands, the project centered on a collaborative recognition of Columbiana First Responders while also paying homage to 9/11. The theme of this year's showcase was designed around uniting under one banner, one anthem, and one cause. In short, "We Band Together" became a message for unity. 


Members of the police department, fire department, EMS, dispatchers, and their families were invited to be honored guests at the show. To conclude the show, all first responders were invited to the field to be recognized and thanked by all participating bands. This recognition concluded with a combined band performance of Rob Grice's “Amazing Grace.” 

A total of 330 musicians and 14 directors united to salute the sacrifice, courage, and commitment of first responders to the local community. Both the students and their parents/caregivers were impacted by the event, reinforcing the importance and value of those who serve.


Congratulations to Columbiana band members for their service through music!

The Columbiana High School Band

Members of Columbiana's first responders are thanked for their service at the band's 4th Annual Clipper Band Showcase

Service Through Music 2022 / 23Service Through Music 2021 Service Through Music / 911 projects

Saluting America's Band Directors™ is a project of the Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation. 

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