BY STACI WILSON

Five years ago, Montrose band alumni spanning two decades reunited to perform in the July 4th parade in Montrose.

The group came together again this year to do it “one more time.”

Many participants were students of Director Dean Houck. As the band gathered in front of the courthouse, Houck thanked not only his former students, but the community for their years of support.

Current Montrose Band Director Suzanne Bennici was also thanked. Bennici helped alumni organizers coordinate the practices, and worked to secure instruments and color guard equipment for the performers.

In remarks following the final practice, Bennici said the alumni band is not only important to the community, but are also an inspiration for current and future high school band members.

William Dovin and Alan Evans served as organizers, scheduling practices, ordering shirts, and keeping a list of participants.

Dovin said, “Only a few people can appreciate the transformation from a handful of people attending the first practice in May to witnessing 100-plus people lining up the day before the parade.”

“This is no ordinary reunion, where you sit around and eat and talk, we actually perform,” Evans said. “This particular band is very unique as we were made up of so many types of students from star athletes to wood and metal shop students, to valedictorians, to the average student, popular kids to the outcasts and none of that mattered inside our ranks.”

Shannon Gregory-Smales admits she was hesitant about marching this year. “2010 was so much fun, perfect weather and everyone got along so well. I didn’t want anything in 2015 to tarnish my ‘MMU Reunion’ experience,” she said. “‘What if it rained on parade day?’ ‘What if the extra five years made it physically harder to do?’ I just didn’t think the experience could be any better. I was wrong about that. Even with the rain, 2015 was every bit as amazing and memorable as 2010, possibly even better.”

First time alumni band member Beth Lawrence said walking up the Public Avenue and hearing the crowd brought back many memories.

Christopher Johnson said he saw his family on their feet cheering the band on; and then heard the roar spectators cheering.

The crowd reaction also brought a tear to the eyes of some performers. “The overwhelming positive response from the family, friends and supporters we received while playing, (it was) as if for that moment we are transported back in time,” Dovin said.

Johnson credited Houck for inspiring the over 130 band members’ return.

“It doesn’t matter what year you graduated, we all share that pride,” Stacy Roberts said. “Every ounce of sweat and tears was worth it. It’s a feeling of pride like no other when you March through town and hear everyone cheering! Pride spirit and hard work do produce excellence and a tradition people remember.”

“We truly are a family and even with all the different years represented you could still feel that,” said Amie Henry Pitman.

“I keep hearing that the hard work made us who we are today – yes we had fun in high school – but through band we learned how to work hard, have pride in our work and that dedication is necessary,” Terry Tyler said. “Tell the schools that music is an important part of educating our future generations and that music is something we can take into our adult lives. I mentor a lot of teens and they need us to come along side them and help them to do hard things.”

Timothy Ryan said, “It really shows what this organization means when you have folks coming in from all over the country to, ‘Do it one more time.’”