The LHS Alumni Band Again Takes The Field!
Gary's LHS Alumni bass drum- ready and waiting!
Photo by Gary Rice
One of the best memories I have of my 1960's Lakewood High School experience is that of participating in the drumline for the Lakewood High School Ranger Marching Band. Lakewood Schools have an excellent tradition of inculcating outstanding musical talent, and that was nowhere more evident than in that drumline.
We used to have Friday night "drumline dinners" where we would meet at one of our homes and then go out on the street and practice our cadences. A cadence is a particular drum beat, and we were always trying to find better and better ones. Some of these involved twirling our sticks above our heads or even bouncing them on the ground. In other parts of town, other sections of the band got together for "sectionals" so that when we all came together, a powerful sound emerged.
Back in those days, the style of drumming we used was called "rudimental drumming." This was a highly developed skill based on learning rhythmic figures like ra-ta-ma-cues and paradiddles. We spent hours building callouses on our hands from those sticks and rubber practice pads, so we would be able to play together with clockwork precision.
When I joined the band, the bass drum position was open. At that time, there was only one bass drummer, so I thought that if I played it, it would be easier for the parents to pick me out of the crowd! The type of drum that I play is called the "Scotch" Bass Drum. This drum is no longer used in the LHS marching band due to new drumming styles. This instrument is quite a bit smaller in width than the multiple bass drums of today. Currently, drumming is conducted "Drum Corps" style, where melodic tom-toms and bass drums are the order of the day. In my day, the bass drum's only melody was BOOM!
And BOOM, I did. Friends as far away as Rocky River Drive told us that on football nights, the one thing they could hear across Lakewood was my BOOMING bass drum. On the field, one visual advantage to the narrow "Scotch" Bass Drum was that I could spin those twirling flashy aluminum drum sticks right over the top of the drum!
A number of years ago in a drum shop, I was lucky enough to run across an old discarded and traded-in "Scotch" Bass Drum, similar to my long-gone original. The replacement is made of stainless steel, so it REALLY booms! I immediately painted it purple and gold, and off I went to join the LHS Alumni Band!
On September 25th, 2009, the Lakewood High School Ranger Alumni Band will once again join present-day band members on the field. Former members of the band are invited to attend and participate by assembling in the choir room at 5:30 p.m.
The Alumni band was formed in 1986 and has been conducted by present and former LHS band directors over the years. Originally the group got together every five years, but now tries to re-assemble every year. In addition to its appearances at various football games, the group has also participated in a number of special events and parades.
Former LHS musicians are encouraged to contact Lakewood Band Director Brian Maskow's office at 216-227-5980 for more information and to register for the event this year. Band T-shirts should be available, and the music will be supplied. Most musicians will need to provide their own instruments, however a limited number of specialty instruments should be available for use.
Now, at the cadence, instruments UP! Quickstep MARCH!