CELEBRATING 100 YEARS — The Steubenville High School Marching Band is celebrating 100 years. Band director Rosalind Thacker stated the milestone will be highlighted throughout the year, with the band playing a variety of tunes from past decades during upcoming shows. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Steubenville High School Marching Band is tooting its own horn, as it celebrates a century of entertaining audiences. Band director Rosalind Thacker announced ideas are in the works to commemorate the milestone, which will be marked through various themes.

“We’re trying to make it felt throughout the year,” she explained, noting it will not be a one-time event celebrating a century of music. The band will instead, reflect 100 years throughout the entire season. Thacker said the band will appear in a 100 formation throughout the playing of the alma mater and singing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Drumheads were purchased that reflect a “100 Years” logo on them and announcements and T-shirts were made in honor of the occasion.

The shirts are being sold for $12 and $15 at the concession stand. Thacker hopes to get people to celebrate the milestone, including the opportunity to donate a meal for the band.

According to its history, the band was established as a concert band around 1921-22, while the first marching band performed on the field in 1924. The band was organized that spring from a group of high school boys, many of whom had never had a music lesson. It yielded 23 players and included assistant director Edward Dobbins and student manager Gilbert Gaughan. The number of players would expand and contract — much like an accordion — through the years. Today, it boasts among its highest number of members at 90. The band has gone on to perform at school shows, during sporting events, at churches and in local parades.

A high point was its inclusion in President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inaugural parade in the 1960s. Members have performed every four years at Disney World, and attended a venue in Tennessee during the ’80s. Thacker, who is in her ninth season, is the longest-serving director at SHS.

“We’ve done pre-game shows, our annual varsity show and this year, we attended the Dover Band Preview on Sept. 21,” she continued. “The shows reflect the decades in recognition of our anniversary. I try to come up with music from shows where people in the audience were in attendance.”

Thacker is planning a varsity show for Nov. 14 and 16, saying it will include musical highlights from the season and additional tunes. For information about meal donations or supporting the band, contact Thacker at (567) 230-0387 or by e-mail at rthacker@rollred.org.