East Band Heritage

This information was sent to the website by Tony Bush, an alumnus of East (then Portsmouth East) and former member and instructor of the East Percussion. This information is posted verbatim from Tony's email, with only the format being edited.


(84-85) (85-86) (86-87) (87-88) (88-89) (89-90)

1984-85

Repertoire: Carmina Burana, Softly as I Leave You, Dawg Grass, 1812 Overture
Director: Roger Horton
Field Commanders: Kathy Barringer & Brian Workman
Soloists: Michelle Imes/ Darren Lore: Mellophone (Softly as I Leave You)

Highlights: Grand Champion at Rock Hill Invitational, Reserve Grand Champion at Russell Competition, OMEA State Final Appearance- Superior (I) rating, Appearance at Sea World in Orlando, Florida

(Anecdotal: Release of homing pigeons at Russell Competition, Morehead State University Drum Line plays exhibition at Blue and White)

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1985-86

Repertoire: New World Symphony, Tico-Tico, On Broadway, Love the World Away
Director: Ken Henry
Field Commanders: Anna Marie Bradley & Michelle Pringle
Soloist: Jeff Nesler: Trumpet (On Broadway)

Highlights: Grand Champion at Coal Grove, Reserve Grand Champion at Rock Hill, OMEA State Final Appearance- Excellent (II) rating

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1986-87

Repertoire: Moorside March, Yes We Have No Bananas, Sun Cat, Sabbath Prayer/Bottle Dance
Director: Ken Henry
Field Commander: Anna Marie Bradley
Soloist: Mark Grashel: Trumpet (Sun Cat)

Highlights: Overall Percussion Trophy at Green Invitational

(Anecdotal: Lack of low brass and graduation of fifty members in the previous two years caused music scores to suffer)

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1987-88

Repertoire: James Bond Theme, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only
Director: Ken Henry
Field Commander: Barbara Bonzo
Soloists: Mark Grashel/ Keith Edwards: Trumpet (Live and Let Die)

Highlights: Five first place band trophies in class C, Overall Percussion Trophy at Green, Appearance at Boardwalk and Baseball in Florida

(Anecdotal: Regimental helmets and Tartan capes, addition of valved trombones and baritones)

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1988-89

Repertoire: Russian Sailor's Dance, Playing with Fire, Swan Lake, Love Me With All Your Heart
Director: Ken Henry
Field Commander: Angela Johnson
Soloist: Keith Edwards: Trumpet (Love Me With All Your Heart)

Highlights: OMEA State Final Appearance- Excellent (II) rating, Overall Percussion Trophy at Coal Grove, Overall Rifle Trophy at Portsmouth West

(Anecdotal: First appearance of a backdrop: swans)

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1989-90

Repertoire: Carnival/Let the Children Play, Johnny's Mambo, The Fifth Dimension (a tour of higher universes), Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Director: Ken Henry
Soloist: Shawn Howell: Baritone Horn (Johnny's Mambo)
Field Commander: Dana Marsh

Highlights: OMEA State Final Qualifier, Overall Percussion trophies at Ironton, Portsmouth West, Green, and Huntington Competitions, Overall Rifle trophies at Portsmouth West and Green, Drum Line Appearance at Morehead State University's Day of Marching Percussion, Appearance at Smoky Mountain Spring Festival

(Anecdotal: New Uniforms, Hurricane Hugo's effects forced the postponement of Green's competition to a rare Monday night battle, Lack of funds did not allow East to participate in OMEA State Finals)

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Once again, thanks go out to Tony Bush for this valuable contribution to the East Marching Band Website. We greatly appreciate this look into the heritage of the band. With all of the changes the band has gone through in the last five years, it is easy to forget the contributions of the past on the band's current traditions. Thank you very much for helping to keep these fond memories alive, Tony!