ASHLAND — Plenty of fanfare is planned throughout Ashland County for America’s 250th birthday.
But Marty Kral and Tiffany Sanders want to add to the excitement on July 4.
Kral, Ashland High School director of bands and music department chair, and Sanders, program coordinator for Ashland Visual and Performing Arts, are organizing the Ashland County Community Marching Band.
The countywide marching band will march in the July 4 parade down Claremont Avenue and Main Street in Ashland at 10 a.m. Any current Ashland band member, alumni band member or county musician is eligible to join.
“I know how important this parade will be to the community. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime parade moment,” Kral said.
Any performer under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult or their band director for safety purposes.
Event resources
— Here is the link to register to participate in the band.
— See the parade route here.
— Here is the link to sheet music.
— Use this link to hear music to practice and play along.
— Click here to learn the flag twirler auxiliary routine.
Kral said he wouldn’t be opposed to musicians from outside of the county joining in the festivities. If they drive into the county, they can play, he said.
A rehearsal is set for July 4 at 8:30 a.m. at Ashland High School, 1440 King Road. This will allow participants to run through the music, organize the parade block and prep for drum cadences.
The band will perform “America the Beautiful” during the parade. Musicians may either memorize the piece or bring a flip folder and lyre. Participants are encourage to wear red, white and blue. Ashland County Community Marching Band shirts are available to order online for those interested.
Kral encouraged interested musicians to reach out to their local band director with any instrument needs or questions.
Parade presents a unique opportunity
Kral said the countywide band may only exist for the July 4 festivities. It could also pop up every six months or so when events come up.
“I don’t know yet. We’re just going to do it as a one off experiment and see where it grows from there,” he said.
There’s never been a countywide marching band to this level in Ashland County history, Kral and Sanders said.
This unique opportunity presents a chance for band members across generations to perform together, as well as collaboration between school districts across the county.
Sanders said she already knows of one family participating that will include a father, his college-aged daughter and his son, who is currently in Ashland High School’s drumline.
“It’s a neat chance for families to be able to march in a parade together, which isn’t a normal thing,” she said.
