Homecoming 2011! Our alumni were invited to start the evening by riding on or walking alongside the Alumni Float in the Homecoming Parade that started at 5pm. The parade toured around the Westgate area. The West Band, Weskets, J.R.O.T.C., and Homecoming candidates join in the fun. - - - All former Band, Weskets, and Orchestra members were invited to return to march with the Alumni Band during the pre-game and half-time performances. Contact Brian Finley (614) 870-1280 for more information on joining the Alumni Band next year at Homecoming. Former Weskets who are interested in participating next year at Homecoming can contact Sally Harris '67 slh4420@ohiohills.com for more information. - - - Former Cheerleaders were invited to return to cheer with the current squad. Go to the Cafeteria 'room' for Homecoming pictures.

2010 Homecoming Recap!!!
Alumni Marching Band
BAND, ATTENNNNNNNNNNN-HUT!!!!
WHAMBA (West High Alumni Marching Band Association) and the West High Alumni Association always has a great time at Homecoming.
Its purpose? To renew old friendships, make new ones, talk about old times (good and bad) and generally just to have a good time.
All were welcome to participate in the Homecoming Game, pre-game, and half-time activities. For those who are not able to march, they are invited to play from the sidelines or just watch the show from the stands.

On Wednesday evening before Homecoming, at 6:00pm on Magly Field, former band and Wesket members gathered to rehearse for their Homecoming pre-game and half-time performance.

Prior to the game, the Alumni Band presented two $500 checks to West Band Director Mark Sampson. One check was to help with band expenses.
The 2nd check was given to the Russell Rowe Memorial Scholarship Fund. The parents of Russell Rowe started the fund after Russell died during his sophomore year. He was a member of the band and passed away from cancer over fifteen years ago. With the help of the B.O.W. (Band Orchestra Weskets), the band parent support group, additional money has been donated to the Rowe Scholarship Fund. Twenty percent of all fund raising earnings go directly into the fund. To date the Rowe Scholarship has given $13,000 in scholarships. Per Mark Sampson, they try to give one $1000 scholarship each year to a graduating Band, Orchestra, or Wesket member. Any wishing to donate to the Russell Rowe Memorial Scholarship can contact Mark Sampson at West. The Alumni Band accumulates funds for their donations from the $7 per person annual dues they ask their band members to pay to march with the band at Homecoming. They also add to their fund when their Jazz Band is paid for dates they play, which usually includes at least one class reunion each year! Any wishing to march with the Alumni Band at Homecoming, play in the Jazz Band, or donate to their fund can contact Brian Findley at (614) 272-2604.

Everyone in Magly Field was waiting for the Alumni Band to make their way down the alley behind the stadium. People were looking over the back of the stadium to cheer for the band.

Starting the pre-game ceremonies, the current West Band and Weskets took the field. Their numbers may not be great, but the band sounded very good and the Weskets were a great addition to the performance.

The Alumni Band and Weskets were led on the field first by the drum line then by alumni drum majors. One who was especially appreciated by everyone was Matt Berndsen ‘07, the last West drum major and the current Ohio State University Assistant Drum Major. Matt is on the far left in the picture below.

Many of the Alumni Band members stayed throughout the game to continue playing while standing on the track in the south end of the stadium.
There are several other 2010 Homecoming Band pictures in the website Cafeteria with the group of Homecoming pictures .

Alumni Dance Band
The West High Alumni Dance Band has been busy playing the sweet big band sounds of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. They occasionally play "gigs" at the Moose on Demorest Rd. with several more jobs coming up including several class reunions. The group looks over their play list so they can bring you the very best performance music for your listening enjoyment.

Bryan Finley ‘69, our musical director and lead saxophone player, leads the band with his down and dirty version of Harlem Nocturne. Bryan has been playing this alto sax solo since his high school days while he was under the direction of former West Band Director Jim Hill ‘53.

They Alumni Band thanks the Alumni organization for providing the band with alumni polo shirts for their gigs. Now they look as good as they sound!

The alumni band is available for hire for class reunions and private parties. They are a nonprofit organization with their proceeds donated back to the West music program. To schedule the group for your next event, call the one and only "Brad to the Bone" Brad Laver ‘75 - bass trombone player at 351-0206 to schedule them for your next event or
e-mail Nancy Lloyd Bryant '79 at: nybryant@aol.com