The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Band readies for national event
The Lorain High School Marching Band will march in another national parade June 16.
Band members will take to the streets of Chicago for the National Puerto Rican People’s Parade.
“This is the first time we are doing this parade, and the students are really excited to be a part of it,” said Tim Sivik, band director of the Lorain High School Marching Band. “The parade will be west of downtown Chicago, in the Puerto Rican neighborhoods, and will start at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.”
Sivik said this isn’t the first time the band has traveled for a summertime parade.
“We have done this before; the tricky part is getting everyone together for the event,” he said. “Students are all out doing different things in different places in the summertime, so it can be tough getting a hold of everyone.
“We include the students
who recently graduated, so we have students who are at colleges practicing with those bands. We also have underclassmen who are currently at different summer camps for music.
“It was a matter of getting a hold of people and making sure they are here tomorrow for when the bus leaves at 6 a.m.”
Sivik said despite the fact that school is out, it wasn’t
too hard to bring everyone back for the parade.
“These guys love to be a part of the spectacle of it all,” he said. “They love to go over to these national stages and represent Lorain. “They like to make Lorain look good in front of competitors from across the country.”
Sivik said the band does a great job during these parades.
“They really look good next to the other bands,” he said. “They always play well and they prove they are a really great group.
“They execute everything flawlessly and they make me and the city very proud at these events.”
Alyssa Ruiz, 15, a sophomore at Lorain High, said the parade will be fun.
“It’s something I enjoy doing,” Alyssa said, talking about taking trips with the band. “It should be a memorable experience, I’m looking forward to it.”
Margaret Otero, 15, a sophomore, at Lorain High, said she is looking forward to the trip.
“I like coming here and hanging out with my friends,” Margaret said. “The band usually has a fun time when we are together. It does feel a little weird to be here in the summer, though.”