The talented Shaw High School Marching Band and Warrensville Heights High School Marching Band were invited to participate in the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Hawaii. The groups are leaving this week.

Each year on and around Pearl Harbor Day – commemorating the surprise attack by Japanese forces on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii – on December 7, 1941, there are several days full of commemorative moments and events.

As flags fly at half-staff across the country as a symbol of respect and remembrance, the young Clevelanders in the two marching bands will participate in that remembrance by marching in the 2024 Pearl Harbor WWII Memorial Parade this Saturday, December 7th in Honolulu perform.

“Trip of a lifetime”

Randy Woods, band director for the Shaw High School Marching Band in East Cleveland, says he’s thinking big picture as he prepares the Mighty Cardinals band for the trip of a lifetime.

The Shaw High School Marching Band performs at the unveiling of the Lone Sailor statue at Voinovich Park in October 2024 under the direction of Randy Woods“Having the opportunity to put ourselves in a space as part of our craft to honor our veterans and those currently serving – that’s a beautiful thing,” Woods says proudly. “They seem to be at band practice all day, every day, but there’s a bigger goal we want to accomplish.”

The school was invited to participate by Historic Programs, which plays a large role in organizing groups for the parade.

While the Shaw band is made up primarily of high school students, there are 60 talented members from grades three through 12, most of whom go to Hawaii.

“If you look closely, you’ll see a lot of little members,” Woods explains. “We are actually a district band and we all play together.”

The youngest students will join their older bandmates to enjoy the historic experience and showcase their musical talent.

For Woods, he says this trip will be an experience that will be close to his heart as leader of the group.

“First and foremost, I think this is an incredible opportunity for our students,” Woods explains. “Most adults don’t even have the opportunity to travel there. For them to be able to do that and prepare for it and actually perform well there – that’s incredible.”

Hard work pays off

The Warrensville Heights High School (WHHS) Marching Band will travel to Hawaii this week to showcase its local talent at a statewide, historically significant moment.

Warrensville Heights High School band director Donshon Wilson and band member Nadia KellyThe Tiger Band of Warrensville Heights will make the trip to Honolulu with Shaw this week and will also play in the 2024 annual Pearl Harbor WWII Memorial Parade.

A representative from the Pearl Harbor Foundation called the school and offered an invitation to perform in Hawaii. He noted the leadership of marching band director Donshon Wilson and his success in the band program over the past four years.

When Wilson got the call, he couldn’t contain his excitement.

“It’s pretty cool — (Wilson) just stopped training and was running around,” said band member and WHHS junior Nadia Kelly.

Wilson has watched his 60 students grow under his leadership. He calls them “scholars” and treats them as such. In order to travel and compete nationally during the season, band members must maintain their GPA to remain in the band.

“They work hard, they give up their evenings, their weekends, their holidays,” Wilson explains, adding that their persistence paid off as they had the opportunity to respectfully commemorate the events at Pearl Harbor. “We really hope our students understand opportunities like this,” he says.

Meanwhile, band member Kelly proudly says: “I’m really excited. We worked really hard. I’m even looking forward to the plane ride!” The significance of playing in the band on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is not lost on her.

“Not everyone gets to do this, so it’s a huge honor and I feel very privileged that they asked us to do this,” Kelly reflects while wearing her band uniform. “I’m excited and grateful.”

Not an easy road to Hawaii

Woods says he and his Shaw band members are excited and ready to get on a plane after waiting years for this opportunity.

“We were actually invited a few years ago,” he says. However, the band was unable to raise the necessary funds. “This year the district has really supported us. We have a really good group together. The opportunities have really presented themselves, so we are very grateful.”

Woods says one of those opportunities came in October. “KeyBank made a very generous donation for the trip,” he recalls. “You know, KeyBank is such a pillar in our community, so it’s great to have that connection in our community and have the opportunity to be a recipient of their grace.”

KeyBank also supported the WHHS band. Each band received $1,000.

Shelly Gorton, KeyBank business support manager, is part of a group of employees and family members who are both active and reserve military veterans who volunteer, donate and give time and energy to military-related causes.

The marching bands’ invitations to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade were consistent with the group’s mission.

“Our art teams – they are a craft that I think is underrated and sometimes financially strapped – and they put their blood, sweat and tears into what they do,” says Gorton. “It’s close to my heart and I personally wanted to make sure we supported this moment. They’re part of the community, we want to give to the community, and they’re a good representation of Cleveland, Hawaii.”

Although the Shaw band’s trip is booked and they will board a flight on December 5, there is still a need for further fundraising efforts to fill the gap – even after much support from businesses and others.

“The total price for the entire trip is about $250,000,” Woods said, adding that it’s a small county. While the district provided the band with everything they needed to make the trip happen, they are still accepting donations of around $75,000 to help offset those costs.

Expenses are also high for WHHS, with roughly the same number of students taking the trip as Shaw.

If you would like to contribute to the Shaw High School Marching Band’s trip to Hawaii, you may call Shaw High School at (216) 268-6500 to make a donation arrangement. Checks can be made payable to “East Cleveland City Schools – Shaw Band to Hawaii” and mailed to Shaw High School, 15321 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44112.

The Warrensville Heights High School Marching Band is also accepting online donations for their trip.