The first written mention of a band at East High School in Aurora was in the school’s 1916-17 yearbook, and the first photo was in the book the following year.
The yearbook narrative tells that the band was made up of boys only, and began as a grade school group. It goes on to say that the high school boys’ band would begin practicing in the 1917-18 school year.
When well-known director Ed Nelson arrived at East Aurora in 1961, the tradition of an all-boys band was still in place. Within a year or two of the start of Mr. Nelson’s tenure, the East High band became co-ed.
As the new school year began recently, the band is well past the century mark, and is in its 109th year.
It has progressed in terms of membership, musical skill level, showmanship and in giving the students pride in their work. And, importantly, in allowing the kids to have a whole lot of fun.
In a story from the fall of 2017, I wrote of director Brian Liska’s goal of trying to make marching band more fun. I have watched and listened to the band perform during these past eight years, and they have seemed to get better and better. The brand new and expanded outdoor stadium at the school has only enhanced the amazing performances that the East Side has now come to expect.
“In recent years, I’ve made a conscious effort to make marching band more fun, but it’s also a lot of hard work,” Liska said in 2017. “Kids put in hours and hours of work, but by the end of the season, they see that they have a cool and fun show.”
I’ve observed that hard work during my visits to the school in the summer, and have watched the sometimes difficult practice sessions in the hot August weather. The band kids work as hard, or harder, than athletic teams at any high school.
And Liska’s goal of making marching band more fun seems to have been realized. I have stopped random band members after their shows and asked them if they like being in band. “I/we LOVE band” is the answer almost every time.
In an effort to update and to expand the 2017 story, I met recently with directors Joe Kulick, John Damore and Chuck Naffier (all of the band faculty are referenced as directors). Each director has detailed areas of responsibility within marching band. The district’s decision-makers have added more faculty to the Music Department, and it has been key to the program’s improvement and expansion.
Together, the directors have instituted an acronym to stand for the band’s core values for this year and going forward. The word is STAR, and stands for Service, Teamwork, Artistry and Resilience.
“The way we work as a team, we are very together,” Kulick said. “We have grown in our roles to move the program forward. The reason for this year’s success is that everything has been guided by these four core values. The students have really grasped them to a degree beyond what we’ve seen in the past in terms of culture.”
The teamwork and artistry have been on display at every marching performance as 213 students cover the football field with precision and excellence. The band numbered more than 300 in pre-COVID years, and directors have continued to work to overcome and to restore the larger numbers.
Even more teamwork has been needed as the band has already traveled to competitions at Northern Illinois University and Providence Catholic High School. It will also compete in the Sandwich High School Musicfest this month. The band has also journeyed to New York City, Ohio and Disney World in the past few years, and will be returning to New York City next year.
“The Band Boosters also play a big part in our teamwork goal,” Kulick said. “Our booster president, Claudia Rodriguez, has done amazing work in getting parents involved. Without them, we definitely couldn’t do it.”
This year’s drum majors, student leaders of the band, are also exemplifying service, teamwork and artistry. Nico Olivo, Daisy Rodriguez and Denise Ortiz are most impressive in their leadership qualities and their dedication to their school and band-mates.
“I’ve learned to try to be a model not just during band, but also in school,” Nico said. “I want members to be comfortable talking to me and asking for help.”
“The more effort I put into band, I learned to love it,” added Daisy. “It has taught me that if I put in the effort, I will always get something good out of it.”
Denise spoke of her band experience as something that will help her beyond high school.
“Being a leader has made me feel comfortable in some overwhelming settings,” she said. “I know myself as a person and musician, and it’s something I can always carry forward.”
As a lifelong East Sider, I am very proud of the East Aurora High School band program. If you have not seen or heard them, you have missed out.
They are truly the Pride of the East Side.
Tom Strong is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.