The date is Thursday, August 5, and band camp has begun. Two hundred eighty seven North Royalton Marching Band members take the field for the first time this year. They have been practicing the music since June. They have been learning the marching instructions since – yesterday.
Director of Bands, Dave Vitale, a 1998 graduate of North Royalton, conducts the band from the roof top of the high school. Everyone is positioned in straight performance rows on an asphalt parking lot below. The lot is lined off exactly the same as the football field. Mr. Vitale can see everything, he hears all. He is almost like Santa Claus! “‘He knows when you are sleeping’ – missed a beat. ‘He knows when you’re awake’ – traverse right, eight counts. ‘He knows if you are bad or good’ – instruments up, eyes front. ‘So be good for goodness sake’ – strong fight song!” The band will be good, very, very good.
North Royalton High School has a Superior Band. That’s right, NRHS band has received seventy- eight consecutive, consecutive years of superior ratings at regional Ohio Music Education Association competitions. During the last twenty-six consecutive years they have received first place, superior ratings for the entire State of Ohio. That is a quarter century of music, enthusiasm, dedication, great instructors, hard work, attention to detail, and a competitive spirit that brings those ratings home. The amazing thing is they have fun doing it.
Vitale teaches music theory and is the marching band show designer; he has been recognized by the State of Ohio as “Master Teacher.” Mr. Vitale’s has the talents of Christopher Burdick and Mike Nary, both music teachers at the middle and high school, to assist in this magnificent musical program. All three teachers are devoted to the band students. The band members give their all. Football players may have their two a day practices; marching band members have all day: instruction, field practice, more instruction and rehearsal. These young musicians will be able to perform complicated routines in their sleep. That is what makes them a Superior Rated Band.
Each section: trombones, flutes, Saxes, percussion, and others, has a section leader who is responsible for their instrument unit. “Be on time, be in line, and be ready to play.” Section leader, senior Michael Kost, who has been playing alto sax since fifth grade, said, “you develop a real bond with section members. All members help the freshman because band we were all freshmen.”
Two student field commanders direct the band during performances, junior James Furio and senior, Mike Atkinson. James agreed with Mike in stating, “Being in band is great. You get to be part of something that is bigger than yourself. We all play instruments but when we practice and perform together we are better than any single one of us.” Both commanders have been playing sax since fifth grade. All the band members enjoy the camaraderie. “Just being with the band members is a lot of fun,” said Genevieve Borris, a sophomore who plays clarinet.
“The uniforms are really hot when the weather is hot,” said another sophomore clarinetist, Dakotah Allen, “We have raincoats for rain. Last year we got hailed on. I remember being hit in the face by the hail.”
This year sophomore Julie Blechschmid is playing cymbals for the football season; she plays other instruments during the year. There are seven lady tuba players. Mckenna Petchler says she “loses a lot of weight as soon as she takes off the tuba after practice.” Melissa Rielinger is a sophomore ‘bone player; when she extends the slide the instrument is actually taller than she is; she has been playing since fifth grade.
The band has a front line; the Royalaires and Royalettes. These are the flag, saber/rifle and dance teams that bring additional color and panache to performances. The Royalaires and Royalettes practice their routines right along with the band.
Band members were asked, “What keeps you going during hot practices and intense performances?” One band member summed it up, “Mr. Vitale keeps us going. When he’s happy, we’re happy. ‘He’s the band Dad.’”
The band will perform in the North Royalton Community Festival Parade, Sunday August 21. The parent preview is Monday, August 22, at 7 p.m. at the stadium. School starts the 24th with the band season in full swing at the first football game on Friday, August 26, against North Ridgeville.
North Royalton High School has a great band, a superior band. Come out to cheer at a football game and treat your ears to our really great band.

By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer