When Glen Leib formed the Donegal Alumni Band in 2004, he had a dream. The longtime Donegal High School band director wanted to gather 100 people to participate with the group in a Memorial Day parade.
After Leib's death last July, members of the group are working in earnest to make his wish come true.
The Donegal Alumni Band is looking for members - and you don't have to be a Donegal grad to join. Anyone is welcome, especially people who live in the Donegal area or are connected to Donegal alumni.
The band formed 20 years ago during the 50th anniversary of Donegal High School, said Jason Spickler, who is a member of the band steering committee.
"Before that, alumni were invited to participate with the high school band at football games and various things like that, but the Donegal Alumni Band formed to be more of a parade band for Memorial Day events and other special events," he said.
Joining the alumni band was a no-brainer for the current members, said Sharon Boyer, who is also on the steering committee and who enjoyed playing in the band in high school.
"It was always a whole lot of fun. I loved the camaraderie with everyone," she said, noting that Leib was a persuasive influence. "Anything Mr. Leib wanted you to do, I would do it."
Stan Tucker, a former drum major and current band member, agreed, adding, "Mr. Leib was one of those guys who was just energetic all the time, and his energy was contagious."
Currently, the Donegal Alumni Band has about 50 active members. The group performs with small ensembles at events such as Winterfest in Mount Joy and has played in the Manheim Memorial Day Parade.
This year, the group will participate in the Mount Joy Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 25; the Marietta Memorial Day Parade in the morning on Monday, May 27; and the Maytown Memorial Day Parade in the afternoon on May 27.
The alumni band will hold a rehearsal for anyone who can attend on Thursday, May 23, but attendance is not required to participate in the parades.
Rounding out the steering committee of the Donegal Alumni Band are Steve Hassinger, Shawn Kreiner, Jackie Wein Roberts and Debbie Painter, Leib's daughter.
Tucker noted that the band is looking for band front members as well, and he emphasized that there is room for everyone in the band. "There are people I run into who say, 'I can't play anymore,'" he said. "And we say, 'That's OK. Just come along and walk with us. Just join us.'" The group will also have a truck or trailer to transport people who want to participate with the band but aren't physically able to march, and the group has instruments for players to borrow if needed.
Uniforms of hats and T-shirts are provided, and the shirts display a message that has special meaning for the band members.
"The back of the shirt says, 'Smile and Wave,' and that is our theme," Tucker explained. "It came from one of the first times we played in a parade, and to say the spectators were a little hostile is an understatement. And Glen, in his wisdom, he said, 'You want to be courteous always. Just smile and wave.'"
For more information, including how to join the group as well as parade details, visit http://www.donegalalumniband.com or call Hassinger at 717-203-6463.
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