THE HISTORY OF THE ELKINS HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Through the years Elkins High has gained popularity both locally and nationally for an outstanding band program. In 1942, Clark H. "Prof" Siedoff was employed by the Randolph County Board of Education as the band director and music instructor for Elkins High School. From the onset of his career at EHS, Mr. Siedoff brought acclaim to the Elkins area with the "fast paced" Tiger Band that included six sponsors who marched in the front of the band in white skirts. Each girl wore a block letter, so collectively they spelled Elkins. In 1953, the EHS Band was honored to perform, to rave reviews by the Chicago Tribune, at the Chicagoland Music Festival. The band became known for the "Charleston" step on the street as well as street drills for a polka and other swing tunes.
Click on pictures below for large images.
In 1959, Elkins native Mr. Jack Basil took the directorship
of the band and let them to a new level of success with the
"Charleston", "Band Jive," "Everything's Coming Up
Roses" and the second EHS school song, "Brasses to the
Fore." The EHS Band represented West Virginia, under Mr. Basil's
leadership at the New York World's Fair of 1964, the JayCee Parade in Baltimore,
Maryland, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., as well as other
well-known festivals. Mr. Basil maintained the high standards of the show
band style and introduced twirling of batons to the new majorette line.
The band bleachers, constructed in 1996 at Wimer Field, are named in honor of the two pioneers of the Elkins bands, Mr. Siedoff and Mr. Basil. Additionally, a leadership award is given each year in honor of Mr. Basil to a student in the band who displays outstanding accomplishment in music, scholarship, leadership, and community service.
In 1976, Mr. Glenn Goodwin became director and during his time at EHS he introduced the popular "N.F.L." tune that is used today. He was followed by Mr. Jay Moon in 1979 and Mr. Walter Warren III in 1980. In 1982, Mr. Don Hershberger became the director and changed the style of the band to a more contemporary "corps" style, introducing a slower tempo and flag corps to Elkins. Following Mr. Hershberger's two years as director, in 1984, Mr. Robert Dunkerley assumed the position. Through Mr. Dunkerley's nine year directorship, the corps style was maintained.
In 1993, Mr. Tim Channell, another Elkins native, became the director and reinstated the updated show band style and also introduced the new "Tigerette" dance line. He also reintroduced the "Elkins standards" of the "Charleston," "Band Jive," and "Brasses to the Fore" to the music performed. The Elkins High Band has become one of the most traveled bands in the state, gaining a reputation of an exemplary band program. In the past seven years, under the baton of Mr. Channell, the band has represented West Virginia in The Myrtle Beach Music Festival, the National St. Patrick's Day Parade in Washington, D.C., The Orlando (Florida) Festival of Music, the AXA/Equitable Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee, 1999 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, 1999 Preston County Buckwheat Festival, and performed at the request of the Governor and performed for other honorable dignitaries.
In the history of the Elkins High Band, many great musicians who have participated in the program have gone on to develop outstanding band programs of their own, to become professional musicians, and to work within the music industry. The Elkins High Band looks forward to the future by building on its past. Each student, past and present, has provided enthusiasm and spirit to ensure a strong loyalty, for many, to the "Fighting Tigers" of Elkins High School.
Listen to the Fight Song, the Alma Matar, or the Trumpet Call
© Elkins High School