Who says you can’t go back? Back in the glory days of high school, I was a member of the Bishop Kearney Marching Kings, which was one of the powerhouse programs in the nation.
We played for kings and popes, and took home pretty much every award possible. I was a trumpet soloist for the Kings, and the highlight for me was our trip to Ireland in 1979. We captured every award there, including Best Band in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Here’s a shot of from the newspaper showing us at the reviewing stand. That’s me just to the left and behind the baton twirler in the center of the picture.
The music was what made us so special. Ray Shahin arranged the music and directed the band during its peak years. Click here to listen to one of our songs that I was fortunate enough to play a solo. Here’s another – our theme song, “Somewhere”. Getting to play one of the solos was a huge honor. This last one really shows off all the musicians, nad was the centerpiece for one of the Band’s State Titles. We never finished lower than first an any competition, large or small, in my four years.
Anyway, it was a lot of fun and was a great experience for me – I have lasting friendships and lots of nice memories. That’s all they were until last year when the hundreds of alumni from the era when the Kings ruled (1967-1983) decided to have a reunion. A website was created and things finally came together in a gala in July of 2003.
We had so much fun that some of us decided to dust off our instruments and perform again. Alumni from all over the world participated. The music was posted on the internet and those of us close enough got together to practice. The rest flew in for a quick practice and then the parade.
It was a big deal here in Rochester, with over 10,000 people at the parade. People were literally crying when they heard the songs again – we were shocked at the nostalgia we all felt. An amazing day, made possible by a lot of hard work from organizers and musicians.
So we continue to practice and play. I had forgotten how much I love it.
May 4, 2008 at 4:40 pm |
Nice work Chris. How can I download some of the Kearney band music from your old page onto a Power Point presentation? I have three of the remastered (or just plain burned) Kearney Kings CDs. What would be easier to do t obe able to put some music to the PP?
Alex
September 22, 2009 at 11:05 pm |
Dear Chris,
I had nothing to do, so I was just browsing around the Internet and drawing back on some memories. And I came across your website. I am from Holley, NY and grew up in the 1960’s and 1970’s and you are correct; Ray Shahin and his music is what it was all about. He, with our school, in the early 60’s when for 3 or 4 years in row (I can’t remember), won the state championship at the State fair in Syracuse. I remember going with my Ma and Dad every summer during that time and then when all the townfolk got back from the fair at night, we’d all be in the square(and it was late)waiting for the band to return. It was a good time and life was much better then.
Thank you and I just needed to write this. He was a good director and arranger for sure.
Sincerely,
T.D