The Oil City Marching Band is indeed ready for the playoffs despite being denied their season of playing halftime shows at Oiler football games. Last week was the first time the band took the field all season and show they have not been lazy. They have been practicing and performing anyway. It was homecoming and the recent loosening of capacity regulations allowed the band back into the stadium.
"It was disheartening that we were not permitted to attend football games at the beginning of the year, however, it was inspiring that our director Daniel Cartwright fought for us to be seen by the community still." said Rylee Merwin, piccolo and flutist for the band.
The band was handed a sack of lemons to start the season, so they made lemonade.
The team's dedication and love of playing music as well as the outside-the-box mentality of their band leaders, the marching band performed more shows, in front of more athletes and parents this year than ever before.
The band, whose uniforms remained quarantined for the season because of COVID-19, played different venues, marched the streets and for probably the first time ever, played for the cross country team, soccer teams and so on.
Even the tennis team had a visit from the band.
"It was disheartening that we were not permitted to attend football games at the beginning of the year, however, it was inspiring that our director Daniel Cartwright fought for us to be seen by the community still." said Rylee Merwin, piccolo and flutist for the band.
The band was handed a sack of lemons to start the season, so they made lemonade.
The team's dedication and love of playing music as well as the outside-the-box mentality of their band leaders, the marching band performed more shows, in front of more athletes and parents this year than ever before.
The band, whose uniforms remained quarantined for the season because of COVID-19, played different venues, marched the streets and for probably the first time ever, played for the cross country team, soccer teams and so on.
Even the tennis team had a visit from the band.
What OMB did was take the performances to the people. The first week of the football season they took a zig-zag march through the city's southside neighborhoods playing their songs before stopping at Mitchell Park for an extended performance in front of a crowd who showed their support by attending the performance before the game.
Others who normally wouldn't get to see or hear the band sat on porches or came to their front yard. This started what became a very full schedule for the band performing at several other venues around the area on top of the athletic events.
They also gave a performance at Two Mile.
Others who normally wouldn't get to see or hear the band sat on porches or came to their front yard. This started what became a very full schedule for the band performing at several other venues around the area on top of the athletic events.
They also gave a performance at Two Mile.
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"Playing at extra activities, I think it was really enjoyable and a different experience from ever before. The OMB has never done anything like this and I think the community enjoyed it just as much as we did," said Alex Webster one of the squad's drum majors.
"This year has certainly been a life changing experience especially when it comes to band," said Merwin. Merwin performed with the band last Friday dressed to the nines because she was also a Homecoming queen candidate.
"This year has certainly been a life changing experience especially when it comes to band," said Merwin. Merwin performed with the band last Friday dressed to the nines because she was also a Homecoming queen candidate.
"I loved being able to share our hard work with the community and different sports and most of all witnessing all of our fans and support follow us to every community gathering whether it was our show at Two Mile or an alternative sporting event. The OMB fans are certainly the best," said Merwin.
The homecoming game was scheduled for the last regular season game against Route 8 rival Franklin. The band was told they could play this event. Prior to the game they took to Hasson Park for a public performance before leading the homecoming procession back to the school. Cheerleaders and the queen candidates followed them through the neighborhood right to the stadium.
"Football games have always just been part of the OMB experience. When those games were taken from us, we realized how important they are in our lives. I don’t think I will ever forget how I felt the second we marched onto the field at the first football game we got to attend this season." Webster said.
"Football games have always just been part of the OMB experience. When those games were taken from us, we realized how important they are in our lives. I don’t think I will ever forget how I felt the second we marched onto the field at the first football game we got to attend this season." Webster said.
"What stands out the most about this season to me is the lessons that can be taken away... many of us were troubled with motivation and courage to keep practicing and working out our show without any certain events to play at." Merwin said. "We didn’t know if we’d ever step foot in front of a crowd or at any public events, but with determination and our love for band we kept hope and worked our butts off."
The Oil City band will be on the field tonight to entertain before the playoff crowd. They are expected to play before during and after the game as the Oilers take on Conneaut Area.
After that, who knows, being told they couldn't play this year certainly didn't stop them, so maybe the end of the season won't either.
Merwin, though graduating at the end of the school year, looks to the future of the Oiler Marching Band with hope.
"I hope the next seniors can experience a more normal year and be present at all of the football games, but also get to experience the diversity I have during this year. If you truly love being in marching band, you’ll love the extra opportunities to play at other events including soccer and cross country," she said "The OMB and myself are so excited for [tonight's] playoff game and hopefully more to come!!!"
After that, who knows, being told they couldn't play this year certainly didn't stop them, so maybe the end of the season won't either.
Merwin, though graduating at the end of the school year, looks to the future of the Oiler Marching Band with hope.
"I hope the next seniors can experience a more normal year and be present at all of the football games, but also get to experience the diversity I have during this year. If you truly love being in marching band, you’ll love the extra opportunities to play at other events including soccer and cross country," she said "The OMB and myself are so excited for [tonight's] playoff game and hopefully more to come!!!"
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