The Band Directors Marching Band Salutes First Responders Page 4

As part of the “Service Through Music” initiative of the Saluting America’s Band Directors and the Band Directors Marching Band, on September 9, 2023, The Bowling Green State University Falcon Marching Band honored first responders and military veterans with a large American Flag and American Eagle formation at their home football game.

Professor Jon Waters is the Director of Athletic Bands at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he leads the Falcon Marching Band. Professor Waters is also the director of The Band Directors Marching Band and will lead the group in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Thank you to the BGSU Falcon Marching Band for using music to honor those who serve!

On September 11, 2023, all students in grades 7-12 at Old Fort High School in Old Fort, Ohio came together for an assembly to commemorate the day and also to honor local First Responders. Students were encouraged to acknowledge local first responder heroes, invite them as guests at the school, and submit photos for a slideshow. The Old Fort High School Band and Choir, under the direction of Amy DeRodes, performed while students from the Teen Leadership Corp and 7th grade ELA students provided commentary surrounding the day. The "Amazing Grace" virtual performance by the Salute to America's Band Director's Band was presented as part of the program.  

Amy DeRodes is the band and choir director at Old Fort Schools and the 2024 District 1 Ohio Teacher of the Year. Ms. DeRodes plays clarinet in The Band Directors Marching Band. Congratulations to the musicians at Old Fort Schools for using music in service to the community!

The Tommie Kunst Junior High School Band from Santa Maria, California performed on September 11, 2023 in honor of First Responders. The students memorized and played arrangements of Amazing Grace and the Star-Spangled Banner. They gathered at the flag pole, and played for a small audience of First Responders and local school board members. The performance was recorded and shared with other First Responders and  members of the community as well.

The members of the Tommie Kunst Junior High School Band were proud to share their appreciation with our First Responders. Groups of students wrote and read aloud short expressions of their gratitude to the audience. 

The band at Tommie Kunst Junior High School is led by Jessica Husselstein who plays piccolo in The Band Directors Marching Band. Congratulations to the Tommie Kunst Junior High School Band for serving the community with music!

For their 9/11 Service Through Music Project, the Independence Middle School Wind Ensemble created a video that was shared with the entire school. The video featured student introductions and performances of “America the Beautiful,” “Taps,” and “Chester Variations”

Julie Murray is the director of bands at Independence Middle School. She is also a clarinet player in The Band Directors Marching Band. Congratulations to the Independence Middle School Wind Ensemble!

On September 11, 2023, the Steubenville (Ohio) High School “Big Red” Marching Band began their SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC project tour at the McKinley Stem Academy. Their annual 9/11 Ceremony and First Responder recognition program was held around the Stem Academy’s flag pole and featured noted speakers from around the county, including the city canager who was at the Pentagon on September 11th.

The band performed the "National Anthem" followed by “Patriotic Spectacular” for the audience of kindergarten through fourth-grade students, parents, First Responders, and city officials. At the conclusion of the program, Stem Academy students presented First Responders in attendance with hand-made pictures and poems. 

Band members were then taken to Dixon’s Rehabilitation Center in Wintersville, Ohio to perform for residents, and ended their service tour with a recruitment concert for fourth through sixth-grade students at Harding Middle School in preparation for our annual recruitment night held on September 12. 

The 102-member Big Red Band is directed by Rosalind Thacker, a tenor saxophone player in The Band Directors Marching Band. Congratulations to the Steubenville High School “Big Red” Marching Band!