CONNEAUT — The halls of Conneaut High School were filled with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season as students prepared for winter break. Music permeated through the air as music students practiced for the 100- year celebration. Dec. 17, 1909, was a monumental date which marked the first Conneaut school music concert. Now, 100 years later, students and alumni gathered together to commemorate this important date in history. At the concert an assortment of music was sang and played. Some selections included “Spartan Centennial March,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Catch a Falling Star” and longtime favorite, “Long Train.”
Former band director, George Voytek, made a special appearance at the concert. He has been involved with the CHS band for more than 25 years and is accredited for bringing Conneaut’s unique marching style in the early ’70s. Voytek said he felt honored by the opportunity to conduct again and to get together with the students.
“I enjoy the camaraderie and keeping the Conneaut band spirit alive,” Mr. Voytek said.
Senior Arian Pal was eager about Voytek’s return to the conducting stand. “I’m very happy that Mr. Voytek is coming back to direct. All through high school, I have always wanted to work with him. He is a legend, after all,” Pal said.
Voytek’s favorite memory was with the marching band. “We were the first band to march at Buffalo Bill’s stadium for their first game in 1974. That year we had 150 students in the band,” said Mr. Voytek.
At the concert Voytek earned many standing ovations from the audience as he led the alumni band through marching band favorites.
Mike DeWalt, a 1990 graduate, was ecstatic for the chance to play for Voytek once again. “It’s been really fun having the opportunity to play in the CHS marching band after 20 years,” DeWalt said. “It’s been great seeing friends I haven’t seen in 20 years as well. I also consider it a great honor to play for Mr. Voytek again. I’ve been involved with some sort of music ever since I graduated in 1990. Mr. Voytek was a great inspiration to me to play music and strive to play it better.”
Current band director, Sean Smith, worked hard these past few months to make this event a success. He said he was hoping that this concert would make the music program not only an important part of education in school but as a part of the community as well.
It took many helping hands to plan the 100-year celebration, including Ron and Gabby LaRusch who worked as supervisors at the event. By having a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle and raffling off a playhouse, which was built and donated by Lake Erie Correctional Institution, the concert helped raise money for various school-related organizations including the Conneaut Music Boosters, Conneaut Athletic Boosters and the Downtown Coaches Club.
The winner of the playhouse was Willow Eigenbrod. Anyone who bought $5 worth of 50/50 raffle tickets was given a free entry into a drawing for a ham dinner for 12, generously donated by Phil’s Catering. The winner of the dinner was Nancy Hedrick. Morris Flowers also donated flowers to decorate the stage for the event. Finally, a variety of band memorabilia was available for purchase, such as the old marching band ponchos and CHS marching band history books.
A select few high school students were honored at the event for their induction into Tri-M Music Honor Society. Tri-M stands for Modern Music Masters and is a program of The National Association for Music Education. Students who are inducted into Tri-M have been recognized for their musical and academic service along with their commitment to service in the community. New inductees included: Analynn Dilfilippo; Emilee Esposito, vice president; Aaron Frain; Alex French; Amanda Hall, secretary; Kayla Ingram; Sara Lahnan; Jeneane LaRusch, president; Kelsie Nickles; Jennifer Oxley; Allyson Picard; Chelsea Reydak, historian; Molly Theil; and Tony Theil, treasurer. George Voytek was the final honoree of the induction and was awarded with a lifetime membership to Tri-M which included a membership card and a pin.
The once-in-a-lifetime concert was a great opportunity for past and present band and choir members to perform as one under the conduction of not only the current band and choir directors, but one that has became a town legend as well – George Voytek.
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Conneaut celebrates 100 years of music
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