Strike up the bands for the Dover Band Preview

The 1,000th football game may have just been played on the green grass of Crater Stadium, but on Saturday, Sept. 11, the green grass of the Dover stadium will feel a different step, that of hundreds of marching band students from six high schools, including hometown favorite, the Dover Marching Tornadoes.

The 39th annual Dover Band Preview, hosted by the Dover High School Marching Tornadoes, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Other bands performing at the show will be the Barberton Magics Marching Band and Salem Quaker Marching Band, both of which will be making their first appearance at the Dover show. The Alliance Aviator Marching Band, Sandy Valley Cardinal Band, Johnstown “Big Red” Marching Band, and the Marching Tornadoes will round out the program.

For Micah Carrick, first year Dover Marching Band director, this year’s band show has special meaning.

“I can remember participating in the Dover Band Preview in high school as a member of a visiting band and walking away with the feeling that I had just taken part in something exciting and important,” Carrick recalled. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to plan that kind of experience for this year’s students and audience.”

According to Carrick, the show will open with each band featured in a traditional “Pass-in-Review” followed by a special presentation of the National Anthem by the Marching Tornadoes. Then each band will take the field for their respective performances. Attending bands will receive a beautiful plaque to commemorate their participation.

Dover marching band fans will get a special treat this year as the Crimson and Gray will perform a variety of styles at the show, guaranteed to be a show pleaser.

“We’re planning some nice marching maneuvers, an exciting majorette feature and will show some of the moves our band has become known for,” revealed Carrick. “We plan on closing our performance with a tradition dating back to Dover’s first marching band director, L.H. Alexander. Famous for starting the band in 1917, Alexander was the first to include the “Spinning D.” With the support of the past and an eye on the future, we proudly pay tribute to our roots with the performance of our fight songs in this fine marching drill.”

Gates for the event will open at 6 p.m. and seating is on a first come basis. All tickets are $5 but senior citizens and preschool age children receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Dover High School office (330-364-7148), band office (330-364-7134), or athletic office (330-364-7143) during ticket sale hours, at WJER Radio, 646 Boulevard, Dover, and will be sold at the gate prior to the show.

A concession stand will also be open during the show with a variety of food, drinks and snacks.

In addition, a souvenir program will be available, featuring photographs of each section of the Dover Band and a three-page color foldout of the entire group. Gary Petricola, president of WJER Radio, will be the Master of Ceremonies, making it a truly memorable evening for audience members and participants alike.

In the event of rain, the show will be moved to the Dover High School Auditorium.

As Carrick puts the final touches on this year’s band show, he is looking forward to continuing the tradition the community has grown to love for years.

“The Dover community has been a tremendous support to its Dover Marching Tornadoes for many years,” stated Carrick. “The community should know that we appreciate their support and love to entertain them. I hope that all who attend the Dover Band Preview thoroughly enjoy the music they hear and the performances they’ll see.”