Elk Grove H.S. band to march in Washington parade

The countdown is on for members of Elk Grove High School's marching band. In a little more than a week, they leave for a high profile gig: the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

"We're so excited to be representing our school and our state," says senior Mary Daniels of Elk Grove Village, one of four drum majors. "We'll be marching in front of thousands of people and a huge television audience.

"We're not just holed up in the band room anymore," she adds, "but taking our music out on a national level."

Elk Grove residents heard a preview of their national performance during Saturday's Hometown Parade. The more than 100 band members played a medley of patriotic tunes in their performance of "Salute to America," arranged by Alan Horney.

In between playing the medley, the 11 members of the Grenadiers' drum line performed their original set of cadences, written by their drum instructor, Tom Leddy.

"We're always working on cleaning everything up," says senior Hayley Rathmell of Des Plaines, another drum major who plays the snare drum in the drum line. "We have to keep the correct time for the rest of the band. We're like the metronome on the field."

Washington's July 4 parade draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to its route along Constitution Avenue and includes military bands, fife and drum corps and colonial re-enactors, along with the traditional floats, drill teams and equestrian units.

But the Marching Grenadiers are the only invited band from Illinois. In applying for the opportunity, they drew a recommendation from Sen. Dick Durbin and it was Durbin who announced their selection through a video to students during a Veterans Day assembly.

Kelly Rogers, another drum major from Elk Grove, says ever since the announcement in November, the band has been working hard to live up to its motto: one band, one sound.

"We want to present a balanced sound," Kelly says. "We want the brass sound to come through, but we still want people to hear the woodwind features."

Members ramped up practices last week to three hours each night. Playing under the direction of Band Director Ron Fiorito - an Elk Grove High School graduate - they started with scales and warm-up sessions in the band room before heading outdoors to march.

"This is a whole new band," says senior Melina Papadakis, another drum major from Des Plaines. "Some of our graduating seniors have come back to play, and we also have incoming freshmen."

With numbers now more than 100, Fiorito says he is pleased with the band's progression. When he took over the program 11 years ago, there were approximately 30 members. Each year, he says it has grown, and every other year or so, they travel.

"My philosophy is that if they're not having fun, they're not going to do it," Fiorito says. "So we strive for excellence, but have fun doing it."

The Washington trip comes a little more than one year after the band performed at Walt Disney World in Orlando and attended a series of clinics.

Elk Grove High School Assistant Principal Robert Murphy has watched the band program grow and improve. He points to their three successive appearances at the superstate competition and trophies brought home from band competitions.

"He's given them so many opportunities to perform and take trips," Murphy says. "It gives them a reason to practice and work hard - and have something to strive for."

How to help

What: Elk Grove High School students travel to Washington for July 4 parade

Cost: $765 per student

Information: www.eghsbandboosters.com

Fundraising Web page: <a href="https://www.youcaring.com/elk-grove-high-school-maching-band-541454">youcaring.com/elk-grove-high-school-maching-band-541454</a>

Contact: Email Debra Paris, eghsdc@gmail.com, president of the Elk Grove Instrumental Music Association