History of the Norton Bands
The Norton Instrumental Music program began in 1924 -1925 in the form of a twelve member orchestra. The Norton Township High School Orchestra was started by Mr. Boden, a Barberton music store owner. In the 1930s, Mr. Russell Gray was added to the staff and the instrumental music program expanded into a concert band. The first marching band took the field in 1936. During the late 1930s, the band came under the leadership of Mr. Lawrence Beck. Shortly after in 1944, Mr. Arden Yockey took over the helm while Mr. Beck served in World War II. Mr. Beck returned in 1946; however, he did not continue as director due to war injuries. Mr. Yockey continued as band director until 1959 when he took over the choir program. Mr. Larry Douglas, a former United States Army Band member, was named the new director in 1959.
In 1965, Mr. Thomas Knapp took over as the fifth head director, and he oversaw the band during enrollment explosions of the late 60s and early 70s. It was during this time that the Norton Band became known as the "Marching 200." By this time, the concert program had also grown into two ensembles. Under Mr. Knapp, the band performed throughout the United States at professional football games. During Mr. Knapp's tenure, he was assisted by the following directors: Mr. Dennis Gahera, Mr. Charles Morton, Mr. Ray Truby, Mrs. Judy Broke-Hall, Mr. Roger Cesanien, Mr. Roger Smith, Mr. Paul Cubick, and Mr. Thomas Smicklas.
In 1976, Mr. James Adkins became head band director and started a whole new era in Norton. Under Mr. Adkins, the Norton Marching Band became an innovator in the contemporary, competitive marching band arena. The Norton Band students were challenged with a newer style of music and marching which required more difficult musical arrangements and much more intricate movement. The Norton Band competed across the United States including The Valley of the Flowers Festival in St. Louis, Missouri. Norton won this event. The band also began its involvement in the Bands of America (formerly "Marching Bands of America") Championships, where the band was BOA Regional Finalists in 1982 and 1984. The Marching Band also appeared at the Bands of America Grand National Championships for the first time in 1984. The concert and symphony bands and jazz ensemble programs grew and improved during the Adkins Era, also. At one time, the Cleveland Institute of Music named Norton one of the best instrumental music programs in the state of Ohio. Assistant directors during this time included: Mr. William Degenkolb, Mr. James Berlyoung, Mrs. Peggy Rakas, and Mrs. Mora Moffan.
After rapidly declining enrollment, several levy failures, and the departure of Mr. Adkins, the band program fell to an enrollment of only 37-40 members in 1986. All competitions ceased, the jazz program was cancelled, the concert program cut in half, and the band director's position was merged with the choir director. Mr. John Malkamaki was the new band director for two years, keeping the program from total collapse. He reinstated the jazz program and worked to build the lower grades.
In 1988, Mr. Patrick Santelli was hired as the eighth band director and proceeded to rebuild the program. The band grew to approximately 70 members in 1989, approximately 90 members in 1990, and nearly 140 members in 1991. During Mr. Santelli's 19 years at Norton, the band program has once again become one of the premier band programs in the state of Ohio. With marching band membership steady from 120 to 140 members since 1991, the band has excelled at competitions and adjudicated events across Ohio and throughout the United States. The marching band reentered the Bands of America Championships, winning Novice Class Champions at the 1990 Toledo Regional Championships. The marching band has since been a yearly participant at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN. Additionally, in 1991, the Norton Marching Band and the Norton Music Boosters began hosting the "Art In Motion" Marching Band Invitational held annually in September/October.. During Mr. Santelli's tenure, the concert, symphony, and jazz bands have also grown and excelled with numerous Excellent and Superior ratings at Ohio Music Education Association [OMEA] events. Mr. Santelli served as the director until his retirement in 2007. Assistant directors during Mr. Santelli's years included: Mrs. Karen Malechek, Mrs. Amy Grom, Mrs. Elaine Williams, and Mr. Charles Kaufman. Additional leadership in the marching band was provided by several associate directors: Ms. Stacy Childers, Ms. Lisa Stemple, Mr. Jason Beck, and Mr. Dennis Oswald.
The start of the 2007-2008 school year marked the beginning of a new era as Mr. Thomas Chiera became the ninth director of bands. The "Chiera Era," as dubbed by his students, began the Norton Instrumental Music program's 81st year. With enrollment steady at nearly 125 bandsmen, the Norton Marching Band soared to new heights as it took on great challenges. The Norton Marching Band earned its first Superior rating at the OMEA State Marching Band Finals since 1992. The following year, the Symphony Band earned its first Superior rating at OMEA Large Group Band Finals, as well. The 2008-09 school year placed Norton in an elite group of schools to earn a Superior rating in both marching and concert band seasons. In 2012, the Norton Marching Band made program history, as it earned its first finals appearance at a Bands of America Regional Championship. The band placed 5th overall after its finals appearance. Additionally, another historical milestone was achieved when the marching band attended the Bands of America Grand National Championships. On November 10, 2012, the marching band made its first semi-finals appearance. At the conclusion of semi-finals, the Norton High School Marching Band was awarded Best Overall Visual in Class A and was ranked 3rd nationally in Class A. The band achieved semi-finalist status four more times in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 finishing as high as 2nd place nationally. The Norton Band program will celebrate its Centennial in 2024.
In 1965, Mr. Thomas Knapp took over as the fifth head director, and he oversaw the band during enrollment explosions of the late 60s and early 70s. It was during this time that the Norton Band became known as the "Marching 200." By this time, the concert program had also grown into two ensembles. Under Mr. Knapp, the band performed throughout the United States at professional football games. During Mr. Knapp's tenure, he was assisted by the following directors: Mr. Dennis Gahera, Mr. Charles Morton, Mr. Ray Truby, Mrs. Judy Broke-Hall, Mr. Roger Cesanien, Mr. Roger Smith, Mr. Paul Cubick, and Mr. Thomas Smicklas.
In 1976, Mr. James Adkins became head band director and started a whole new era in Norton. Under Mr. Adkins, the Norton Marching Band became an innovator in the contemporary, competitive marching band arena. The Norton Band students were challenged with a newer style of music and marching which required more difficult musical arrangements and much more intricate movement. The Norton Band competed across the United States including The Valley of the Flowers Festival in St. Louis, Missouri. Norton won this event. The band also began its involvement in the Bands of America (formerly "Marching Bands of America") Championships, where the band was BOA Regional Finalists in 1982 and 1984. The Marching Band also appeared at the Bands of America Grand National Championships for the first time in 1984. The concert and symphony bands and jazz ensemble programs grew and improved during the Adkins Era, also. At one time, the Cleveland Institute of Music named Norton one of the best instrumental music programs in the state of Ohio. Assistant directors during this time included: Mr. William Degenkolb, Mr. James Berlyoung, Mrs. Peggy Rakas, and Mrs. Mora Moffan.
After rapidly declining enrollment, several levy failures, and the departure of Mr. Adkins, the band program fell to an enrollment of only 37-40 members in 1986. All competitions ceased, the jazz program was cancelled, the concert program cut in half, and the band director's position was merged with the choir director. Mr. John Malkamaki was the new band director for two years, keeping the program from total collapse. He reinstated the jazz program and worked to build the lower grades.
In 1988, Mr. Patrick Santelli was hired as the eighth band director and proceeded to rebuild the program. The band grew to approximately 70 members in 1989, approximately 90 members in 1990, and nearly 140 members in 1991. During Mr. Santelli's 19 years at Norton, the band program has once again become one of the premier band programs in the state of Ohio. With marching band membership steady from 120 to 140 members since 1991, the band has excelled at competitions and adjudicated events across Ohio and throughout the United States. The marching band reentered the Bands of America Championships, winning Novice Class Champions at the 1990 Toledo Regional Championships. The marching band has since been a yearly participant at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, IN. Additionally, in 1991, the Norton Marching Band and the Norton Music Boosters began hosting the "Art In Motion" Marching Band Invitational held annually in September/October.. During Mr. Santelli's tenure, the concert, symphony, and jazz bands have also grown and excelled with numerous Excellent and Superior ratings at Ohio Music Education Association [OMEA] events. Mr. Santelli served as the director until his retirement in 2007. Assistant directors during Mr. Santelli's years included: Mrs. Karen Malechek, Mrs. Amy Grom, Mrs. Elaine Williams, and Mr. Charles Kaufman. Additional leadership in the marching band was provided by several associate directors: Ms. Stacy Childers, Ms. Lisa Stemple, Mr. Jason Beck, and Mr. Dennis Oswald.
The start of the 2007-2008 school year marked the beginning of a new era as Mr. Thomas Chiera became the ninth director of bands. The "Chiera Era," as dubbed by his students, began the Norton Instrumental Music program's 81st year. With enrollment steady at nearly 125 bandsmen, the Norton Marching Band soared to new heights as it took on great challenges. The Norton Marching Band earned its first Superior rating at the OMEA State Marching Band Finals since 1992. The following year, the Symphony Band earned its first Superior rating at OMEA Large Group Band Finals, as well. The 2008-09 school year placed Norton in an elite group of schools to earn a Superior rating in both marching and concert band seasons. In 2012, the Norton Marching Band made program history, as it earned its first finals appearance at a Bands of America Regional Championship. The band placed 5th overall after its finals appearance. Additionally, another historical milestone was achieved when the marching band attended the Bands of America Grand National Championships. On November 10, 2012, the marching band made its first semi-finals appearance. At the conclusion of semi-finals, the Norton High School Marching Band was awarded Best Overall Visual in Class A and was ranked 3rd nationally in Class A. The band achieved semi-finalist status four more times in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 finishing as high as 2nd place nationally. The Norton Band program will celebrate its Centennial in 2024.