MUSKEGON TWP. - Even after all of the incredible success the Reeths-Puffer marching band has had over the years, there are still probably some folks who think its sole function is to entertain the crowd at home football games.
While that traditional role remains part of the mission, the fact is that the band uses those halftime performances as dress rehearsals to prepare for its main objective – competing for championships, just like R-P athletic teams.
Every time you see the band perform on the field, changes and adjustments have been made from previous performances. The goal is for the group to have the music and choreography fully developed and at its best by the time the state finals roll around.
That’s happened a lot in the long, successful history of the R-P band, which has won a pretty amazing 17 state championships, including its most recent title in 2022.
The R-P marching band just completed its 2023 season and very nearly repeated its championship, finishing second at the Flight 3 state finals on Nov. 4 at Detroit’s Ford Field. R-P finished just behind state champion DeWitt in a very tight competition.
Snare drummers (left to right) Bailey Bohland, Gavin Wierenga, Adam Schrumpf. Photo/Joe Lane
It takes months of hard work and preparation to get to that point, according to R-P band director Sean Harris.
“What we do is highly competitive,” Harris said, when asked how much the band’s show is altered or improved over the course of the fall. “Changes are expected, especially if you compete at the regional and national level like we do.
“Nobody has their full show on the field in early or even late September. During the season we are constantly getting feedback from judges, letting us know if we are on the right path, and making changes accordingly.
“Athletic teams develop their playbooks throughout the season, toss some things in as they go along, and maybe experiment with some things. It’s no different for us.
“We’re getting more information every week and adding or changing something to give the students the best chance to have success. The better they are, the more fun they’re having, and we take our time to make it that way.”
Claire Rolewicz, Nolan Vanderwall, Parker Vanderwall. Photo/Joe Lane
This year the R-P band, led by drum majors Kiera Gorenflo, Keigan Murphy and Amani Starr, developed a show titled “Spark,” based on the concept of something happening that leads to something else, connecting humans to each other and leading to a chain of events.
The four-song performance consisted of “Ignition” by Todd Andrew Stalter, “Body Electric” by Lana Del Ray, “Stubernic” by Mark Ford and “Stella” by Arch Echo.
The show was obviously a hit, because the Rocket band was dominant in weekend competitions throughout the fall, winning titles at invitationals at Kent City, Portage Northern, Grandville and Jenison.
R-P finished tenth overall at a multi-state regional competition in Obetz. Ohio, and finished second behind DeWitt at the Michigan Competing Band Association preliminary competition prior to the state finals.
At the state finals, R-P battled closely with DeWitt in every category and fell just short of taking another championship.
The band during a performance. Photo/Joe Lane
In scoring for the music category, DeWitt had a very tight 25.2-25.1 edge. In visual, DeWitt had a 33.6-32.8 advantage.
In general effect, DeWitt was up 33.6-32.8, and in percussion R-P again just lost by a whisker, 18.2-18.1.
The R-P color guard did come out on top, besting second-place DeWitt 17.3 to 17.0.
In the end, DeWitt won the overall title by just over one point, 85-83.8.
The final standings continued the intense rivalry between the R-P and DeWitt bands over the last few years. R-P won the state title in 2018, 2019 and 2022. DeWitt won it in 2021 and this year.
Band member Mylie Neel gets tossed during a performance. Photo/Joe Lane
While this year’s outcome was disappointing for the 108 members of the R-P band, the fact that they very nearly won a second straight state title, and maintained R-P’s elite reputation, had to provide some consolation.
Besides, according to Harris, a lot of the Rockets were at least a little bit happy for DeWitt, because the two powerhouse bands have developed a mutual respect and admiration for each other over the past few years.
Both bands traveled to a national competition in Indianapolis last year, got to know each other, and became friendly, according to Harris.
“In the last few years we’ve been pushing each other,” Harris said about the respectful rivalry. “We have literally traded state championships, and we kind of yell and cheer for each other when we take the field. The culture of it is kind of heart-warming.
“It’s very respectful and mature. It’s pretty incredible to watch. Cheering on a rival group is nothing you’re going to see in football or any other sport. It’s just different.”
Amani Starr, one of three drum majors. Photo/Joe Lane
Reeths-Puffer band members can also take pride in overcoming the conditions they had to face this fall while preparing for their competitive schedule.
The problem was that the weather in October was miserable, with far too many rainy days that kept the band inside, where they could not spread out and have normal rehearsals.
That issue was compounded on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and Wednesday, Nov. 1 – just days before the state finals – when the unexpected Halloween snowstorm threw a wrench into the R-P band’s final preparations for its biggest show of the season.
“The kids rocked it, especially considering all the rain we’ve had, and then the foot of snow,” Harris said. “We averaged two days a week rehearsing in the gym. It would be like having the football team practice two days a week all season on the basketball court. But the kids held true and they were amazing. I am so proud of them for accomplishing what they did.”
