Varsity Show Close

At the request of those who attended last week’s Titan Marching Band Varsity Show, below is a transcript of the closing comments from the show, written and read by Berea-Midpark Band Announcer, Tom Farmer.

And there you have it.  The first of what we hope will be many more Berea-Midpark Varsity Shows. 

That ringing in your ears … that would be the sweet sound of success.  The sound of two high school marching bands who came together to form one sound. 

Nearly two years ago, this night could only be imagined because all that existed then was the knowledge that the two high schools in the Berea City School district … must merge.  From that point everyone formed their own image of the future of this high school, right down to the look and sound of this marching band.

Neither director had a road map for this kind of thing yet took on the task of creating and arguably, continuing a program that hopefully would meet the expectations of administrators, parents and most importantly, students.  The volume of work before them could not be predicted.  Instruments.  Music.  Uniforms.  Trailer.  Boosters.  Funding.  Banner.  OK … missed on the banner, but never lost in all of this was the students.

Like all of us when faced with a monumental task, we cling to what we know best.  When you hire a coach or manager, you not only hire the person, you hire the philosophy and the strategy that formed a reputation for success.  A band director is no different.  It was this reputation that was the first step towards success in this band.  Even critics would have to agree, there are not too many first year high school marching bands that get invitations to perform at Ohio State and Browns Stadium. 

On the west wall of the band room is a leftover sign that used to read, “The Pride of Berea.”  In preparation for the new high school, the word, “Berea” was removed leaving behind the words, “The Pride of”.  The emptiness gives the impression of an unwritten definition … of pride yet to be determined.

The 179 students on this stage will always be able to say they were the first.  The first to don the Titan uniform.  The first Titan band to step onto a field.  The first Titan band to perform at Ohio State and at a Browns game. 

Through their hard work, there is a new reputation to behold.  One that caused other high school bands in North Royalton to take notice.  A dedication to philosophy that stopped Buckeye tailgaters in the middle of a “cold one” to cheer as the Titans paraded by. A memorable performance that caused one of the top collegiate bands in the country to circle the name “Berea-Midpark” for future Skull Sessions.  And of course halftime and post game performances that earned the ovations of “the best band fans in the land.”

Maybe the final word after “The pride of” will always be left blank so that future bands can form their own definition.  Based on the performance of this band, those future generations will need some pretty high standards to meet the pride we feel for this group.

For some, the memories of Berea High School and Midpark High School continue to die hard.  The Braves and Meteors are the foundation on which the Titans were built.  May we always be true to the memory of those schools. 

So … what could only be imagined two years ago, is reality today.  The BATON has passed to a new era.  As the Fourth Quarter Cheer goes: “Dominate and Devastate … We’ll blow you away.  We are the Titans … and we’re here to stay.” 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the PRIDE … of the TITANS, THIS is the Berea- Midpark TITAN Marching Band.