The Boca Raton High School marching band performs at the National Museum of the United States Army. Members and support staff chalked up their experience in Washington, D.C. as an important life lesson about perseverance and determination. Photo provided by Jenn Girdlestone
By Faran Fagen
Boca Raton High School brass musician Stephin Restivo and his 49 bandmates were shocked to find out at 10:15 p.m. on July 3 that the Independence Day parade they had worked so hard to prepare for in Washington, D.C., was canceled.
But the Bobcats didn’t travel more than 1,000 miles from South Florida to the nation’s capital for the country’s 250th anniversary for their instruments to stay silent.
When extreme heat forced the cancellation of the National Independence Day Parade on July 4, the students and their band directors joined forces with three other high school bands to organize an impromptu patriotic concert inside the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
“When we got the news the parade was canceled, people were sort of in shock and thinking what this meant for the rest of the trip or if it was going to be replaced,” said Restivo, 17. “It also bummed out many people since it was going to be such a big event. The change to the museum was a very quick turnaround, so everyone quickly hustled back together so we could prepare.”
The four bands were each selected to be in the National Independence Day Parade, an honor reserved for invited bands nominated by state officials. The students had come far and paid a lot of money to attend.
The performance at the National Museum of the United States Army was actually set up by a band parent of a band from Washington state, which invited Boca High and the other schools (from California and Wisconsin) to perform. At 4 p.m., the music began, and the 307 student musicians from four high schools played.
“We’re extremely grateful that we got the opportunity to perform at all, and honored to perform in the Army museum,” said Boca High band director Jenn Girdlestone. “We’re so proud of our students for the way they performed.”
The Bobcats played the same material that they had planned for the parade. Each band took about 10 minutes and had the opportunity to watch and listen to the other bands from across the country.
“Even though we didn’t get to march and play in the parade like the original plan, it was still a great experience to be able to play for people and show our appreciation,” Restivo said. “I think it also shows our perseverance as a band that even on short notice we were able to come and perform for everyone. Personally, I think it gives a really good sense of hope.”
Restivo plays the mellophone, which has the sound of a French horn but is shaped more like a trumpet so that the sound can be projected toward the audience during marching shows.
The extreme weather conditions made the trip a challenge. Tours of monuments and the National Mall were outdoors. Other events moved indoors. And then lightning delayed the fireworks on the Fourth.
The concert reflected a collaborative effort involving the Army museum, U.S. Rep. Emily Randall of Washington state and members of her staff, and Chimacum (Wash.) High band director Daniel Ferland, along with the other band directors, students and supporters from each participating school.
More than a patriotic performance, the concert became a powerful reminder that when circumstances change, determination, teamwork and music can still bring people together.
The upcoming fall semester brings marching band season for Boca High. The Bobcats are excited about supporting their football team and competing in the Marching Band State Championships the weekend of Nov. 14.
Restivo, who has been in band since the seventh grade, says his goals for his senior year are to “just have fun and do what makes me happy.”
He’s in jazz, symphonic, as well as marching bands, which all have a different feel. In college, he plans to pursue a criminal justice major with a minor in music, and of course, play in the university and local bands.
“The band community is by far one of the best communities people can be a part of,” Restivo said. “No matter where you go, you will be able to find others who enjoy the same things as you and had similar experiences. It’s almost as if we’re all part of one big family supporting each other.”
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