Alumni

Parkersburg High School Big Red Marching Band

"THE LONG RED LINE" Alumni Page

1976-77 Big Red Band Ed McKown directs as Chris Provice looks on

Memories of 1977 Director Ed McKown (dig those glasses!)

Thanks to Chuck Cooper (Class of '77) for these pictures and memories!

Alumni and members of The Long Red Line - we'd love to hear from you! Please send us an email, informing us of your current status in life (marriage, kids, career, address, email), and what it means to you to have represented one of the most storied, proud high schools ever in the United States. It truly is up to you to help pass down the traditions of The Long Red Line! Let us know if you are interested in having a quarterly newsletter about the Big Red Band emailed to you, as well.

Click Here to tell us about you.

Your Place in the Long Red Line
Written by: A Senior for the Class of 1999


    Through the years it has been the responsibility and the privilege of
each member of the Parkersburg High School Big Red Marching Band to carry
the Standard established by their predecessors. To understand the
direction the Standard must go into the future, you need to have a clear
view of where it began and how it became what it is today. Look for a
moment back in time, down the Long Red Line.


    From its' modest beginnings of only fifteen members over eighty ears ago
to what it has become today, literally thousands of young men and women
have given of themselves to continue the Long Red Line. It's been
said "That, which does not kill me, makes me stronger." Adversity tests the
metal of a person. Will they buckle in the face of this adversity or will
their Pride, Heart, and Willingness to Sacrifice refuse to give up,
building character and strength. The band has had to deal with many
difficult situations, not just on a local or individual level, but on
a national, even global scale. The band has survived the
"Great Depression", five wars, two "World Wars", drastic changes in
our society, just to name a few. The band responded to the adversity of
a changing and at times violent world by refusing to compromise
its standards for individual ethics or performance excellence. Over the
years, all but a very few bands have gone away from their "Military
Style" roots. We remain the only band that has maintained its
"Military Style" of marching in the state and one of the few in the
nation. It has taken the dedication of many young men and women like you
to build the traditions that are yours to carry on. The Big Red Band has
performed forPresidents, at the World's Fair, in national competitions, in
the Macy's Parade, literally hundreds of other parades, and most recently
at the 1998 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. The awards, trophies, and
banners representing National Championships, Grand Championships, and honor
awards are the too numerous to mention. The true significance of these
awards is not their number but their recognition of musical and precision
marching excellence.

         Each class must do their part, each is integral to the continued
success of the band.

Seniors
            It falls to you to lead your band into the new millennium.
            Lead your band in the direction they should go. They WILL
            follow you! Keep the line straight and sharp. Lead by
            example, those who look to you for direction. Mirror your
            pride in yourself and the band, as did the Seniors before you.
            This is your time! Enjoy it! MAKE IT COUNT!


Juniors
            Support the Seniors in their efforts to lead the band. Learn
            how to lead from those you have seen and respect. It will be
            your turn next year. Help and teach the Sophomores, they have
            a lot to learn (as we all did). You can have a profound effect
            on the band. MAKE IT BETTER!


Sophomores
            Learn how to do things the right way, the "Big Red Band Way."
            The upper classmen will teach you (trust me!). But more
            importantly, take the time to understand what make the Big Red
            Band special! You have chosen to be a part of a long and proud
            tradition. MAKE IT PART OF YOU!

    It has been my privilege over the last three years to be part of a
tradition spanning more than eighty years. I am and will always be part of
the Parkersburg High School Big Red Marching Band and it will be part of
me. As the years go by I will look back at this time in my life with
tremendous pride. I have memories of friends, band camps (even the "Death
Marches"), countless hours of marching and standing at attention,
competitions, half time performances, concerts, rock-a-thons, the list goes
on and on. I have a special place in the Long Red Line that is mine
alone. This unique place is made of all that I put into the band and all
that I received in return. My place can not be taken from me by anyone or
anything; it will be mine forever. As the years go by, anytime you want
to see me I'll be there holding my place proudly in the Long Red Line,
waiting for you to join me.


    My challenge to you is this: Maintain The Standard passed to you with
pride; strive towards excellence through discipline and dedication; never
allow the rich traditions so many have worked to hard to establish to be
diluted. Enjoy each experience; meet each challenge, cherish every moment
- Take Your Place in the Long Red Line. We'll be waiting!