Welcome back! The Beaver Area Marching Band recently welcomed back 25 alumni of the marching band to play in the stands and perform the pre-game ceremony.

The band alumni participated in the pink out game October 12 when Beaver Area took on Seaton LaSalle.

“Alumni Night” as it is referred to by members of the band, was organized primarily by middle school math teacher Mr. Steven Maker and alumni Mr. Nick Raegler.

Former band members reported to the school before the current band members for a dinner provided by the Band Parent organization—but many current members came early to introduce themselves and catch up with old friends in attendance.

“It was incredibly fun to play one last time alongside the people who taught me how to march,” senior Paula McCreary said.

Alumni played alongside current students for the pre-game ceremony, playing songs such as “We’ll Win” (Beaver’s fight song), “The Alma Mater,” and “The Star Spangled Banner” as well as “Greased Lighting” and “Land of 1000 Dances.”

The alumni also played along with the band for the “stand tunes” as they’re known by the band.

Alumni had a great time visiting their old school and catching up with old friends and classmates.

“I had a wonderful time at alumni night. It was really great to see all of the other alumni and be doing what we all enjoyed in high school. It was also exciting to get to know the current band members and to see how they do things now. I am looking forward to being able to come in future years to show support for the band and the school,” said 2020 graduate Mr. Evan Linkamer, the former drum major for the Marching Band.

As far as the future of the band’s alumni presence, the band organization and alumni are optimistic.

“I hope this event continues for years and gets bigger and better each year, ” said Mr. Raegler.