Week 4: Clyde High School | Band of the Week
It's another football season - or for many in the area, marching band season - and we're excited to again feature a different band and halftime show each week.
School is back in session and students are hitting the books, which also means it's time to hit the field for athletes and the marching bands that hype them up.
Band members work just as hard, if not harder, than the football players on the field. Musicians from across our area bring the noise before, during and after games.
That's why WTOL 11's Band of the Week is back for a third year to take some time and recognize bands during this year's Big Board Friday.
This year, we are introducing a new element to the selection process: Voting! Now, students, parents and the school community can vote to determine what band is featured as the Band of the Week.
Here’s how it works:
- Each Friday, beginning at 5 a.m., voting will open.
- Anyone can go to wtol.com and vote once per hour until the voting closes on Tuesday at noon.
- The Band of the Week will be revealed on Wednesday during WTOL 11 News at 4 p.m.!
Then, on Friday, our WTOL 11 crews will come out to record the Band of the Week's halftime performance and bring a few goodies with them!
Each week, WTOL 11 will feature one marching band, film their halftime show and present it to you on wtol.com and on our free news app, which you can download here: https://interactive.wtol.com/appredirect/
You can also catch replays on the WTOL 11+ channel on Roku and Fire Stick.
Enjoy the shows!
Week Four Clyde High School
Our fourth Band of the Week for 2024-25 is Clyde High School!
The Clyde marching band has 71 members and began practicing in July. The school's band director, Jacob Donofrio, said what makes the high school's band special is its strong sense of community and support from the school district.
Donofrio said the district committed $20,000 last year to the band program to replace old instruments. The marching band went to Nashville during spring break last year and was able to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, the General Jackson Showboat and more.
"The communities of Clyde and Green Springs love a good parade and the marching band is proud to be a part of them! The band program in Clyde is very active in the community and we believe that is one of the reasons the community supports us so much. It is a great mutual relationship between the band and the Clyde-Green Springs communities," the band director said.
Week Three Napoleon High School
Our third Band of the Week for 2024-25 is Napoleon High School!
With 60% of the vote, the Wildcats Marching Band earned top honors.
FULL PERFORMANCE:
"It's awesome to know that these people out here (in the stands) are actually watching us and paying attention and thinking that we're doing something great, just like the football team is doing," senior drum major Avery Badenhop said. "I'm just really proud to see these people kind of stepping up and actually take a role in what we're doing here."
Andrew Lesick is the band director for the Napoleon Wildcats. It's a role he's held for 22 years. While "marching" is always a big part of "marching band," Lesick emphasizes the weight of the sound behind the steps.
"Bands first and foremost are music and for me, we try to get them playing and in tune and right off the bat. You're coming into the school year where you've had three months off so they're not setting the world on fire right away. It's how far can we take them in this particular venue," Lesick said. "It's the music first and the motions second. I want people to leave thinking 'hey man, that's a good sounding band. I'd like to hear them again.' That, to me, is probably the pinnacle, the highest importance for our Friday night."
Congrats, Wildcats on being this week's Band of the Week!
Week Two Clay High School
Our second Band of the Week for the 2024-25 marching band season is Clay High School!
FULL PERFORMANCE:
Clay's marching band has 92 students, with many who are also athletes in sports like football, cheerleading, golf, soccer, cross-country and tennis.
The Fighting Eagle Marching Band models themselves after a show-style band with a drum major, similar to Michigan and Ohio State's marching bands, according to band director Joe Kuzdzal. They perform different music and drills at every home game.
"Our band at Clay has always been a big tradition and part of our school culture," Kuzdzal said. "We start the school year in-service for teachers and staff with the Clay Fighting Eagle Marching Band."
Kuzdzal teased ahead to the Sept. 13 home game, where the marching band will salute our veterans with a pregame fly-over using WWII training planes.
Clay captured over 40% of the popular vote for Week Two, earning the honor of being our Band of the Week.
"It feels great. I mean, it shows all of our hard work is paid off over the last month and a half. I'm proud of all the people in this band," band member Brenden Hendrickson said. "We sound really good and we look good. It's a great feeling."
Congratulations, Eagles!
Week One Whitmer High School
Our first Band of the Week for the 2024-25 marching band season is Whitmer High School!
FULL PERFORMANCE:
The Panthers field 110 players in their marching band, which marches in Toledo's annual Labor Day Parade and will be making a trip to Walt Disney World for a parade performance in spring 2026.
"The students work very hard, often with very little resources, and yet are able to provide quality performances, despite various personal circumstances. They are constantly looking to improve individually and as a group," Whitmer High School marching band director Justin Rhoades said. "They are true underdogs and the directors are very proud of their work ethic, determination, and kindness."
Rhoades described the marching band as a selfless group that works to lift each other up and help their peers, going above and beyond.
"The band is very supportive of the school by performing at various local school events, including our community anti-drug event known as the Candlelight Walk," Rhoades said.
And the community supports them right back, as the Panthers won the popular vote by a wide margin.
2023-24 Band of the Week Watch last year's shows
Looking for last year? Here's all of the action from our Bands of the Week.
WATCH NOW: Band of the Week 2023-24 season