Pride of Newark focuses on quality
- Newark’s numbers are down for 93 last year to 75 this year
- Zak Wilkins has been the director of the Pride of Newark Marching Band for four years.
- The band has made it to the OMEA State Marching Band Finals for the past 34 consecutive years
NEWARK – If there’s one thing Zak Wilkins can say about the Pride of Newark Marching Band is that it really is a family.
In his four years as the director of the band, he has seen first hand how the relationships the students form with each other throughout the year forms the core that keeps the band going strong.
The band has 75 students this year, down from 93 in 2013, the closest the band had been to 100 members since Wilkins came on board.
It’s a little disappointing to see the numbers drop, but Wilkins said he is more interested in quality than quantity.
“It’s no secret we’ve had some challenges in the past year, which may or may not have affected our numbers this year,” Wilkins said. “But this current crop of kids is determined to not let it negatively affect them.”
Wilkins said he is confident the band can meet the expectations the Wildcat community has for it and is optimistic for the upcoming season.
“This year’s seniors are phenomenal,” Wilkins said. “The music this year is a little more difficult, but they’re handling it really well.”
This Year’s Show
• Theme: “United We Stand.”
• Songs include: “Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and “War” from the movie “Pearl Harbor.”
This year’s Competitions
• Sept. 20: Logan Elm Band Classic
• Oct. 4: Newark Marching Band Invitational
• Oct. 1: Ohio State Buckeye Invitational
• Oct. 18: Winchester Classic
• Oct. 25: Bloom Carroll Invitational
Director
• Zak Wilkins has been the director of the Pride of Newark Marching Band for four years. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The Ohio State University and was a member of the Ohio State Marching Band.
Fun Fact
• The band has made it to the OMEA State Marching Band Finals for the past 34 consecutive years and is shooting for 35 in 2014.
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Roster
Field Commanders
Daniele Davis
Mary Franks
Flute
Sarah Eilers
Kylie Humphrey
Allison Nixon
Harley Evans
Dani Loughman
Cora Philabaum
Mary Wheeler
Clarinet
Serenity Ramsey
Skylar Grimsley
Tara Hamilton
Chris Vadala
Kristin Prince
Bass Clarinet
Natasha Hunt
Alto Saxophone
Jordan Campbell
Brian Nixon
Ben Spence
Anthony Plunkett
Seth Rutter
Cameron Caito
Mellophone
Alexa Elizondo
Abby Summers
Collin Bennett
Spencer Koontz
Kayden Craig
Trumpet
Justin Unternaher
Zac Sullivan
Christian Hale
Nathaniel Kroah
Ashley Green
Daniel Decker
Justin Burgess
Jacob Rubeck
Cedric McGrapth
Fred Franks
Jonah Cunningham
Joey Loughman
Ely Rutter
Trombone
Drew Niccum
Mary Pound
David Ringhiser
Cheyenne Hunt
Joseph Ruton
Niall Thomas
Allyson Smith
Brianna Shannon
AJ McElvain
Tuba
Ross Hodge
Kim LeCuyer
Kyle Powers
Dustin Gourley
Snare Drum
Andy Simmons
Jeremy Burgess
Noah Jenkins
Quad Toms
Mike Shonebarger
Michael Smith
Bass Drum
Anthony Whaley
Kassidy Offenbaker
Melissa Moore
Tasia Susi
Pit Percussion
Ariana Gostrue
Lindsey Cooperrider
Savannah Halblaub
Anna Cotterman
Jerrin Predmore
Josh Smith
Madilynn Blake
Guard
Stevie Darner
Lindsey Clement
Samme Soto
Brooke Copley
Megan Besse
Kayla Beckett
Cynthia Adams
Director: Zak Wilkins
Assistant Director: Lee Auer
Percussion Director: Derek Lacy,
Pit Director: Kait Long
Guard Director: Tyson Kumorowski
Low Brass Instructor: Rich Niccum