Warriors March On Following Death of Band Director

Earlier this summer, band director didn't just affect one school, it impacted the entire Lincoln-Way community. From the Marching Warriors to the Marching Griffins (and their families) to Nedzel's colleagues at all four high schools, the summer of 2011 has been one of tragedy and transition.

Yet Nedzel's spirit still touches his former program, now in the hands of colleague and friend Cary Ruklic, who was previously s assistant band director. That transition has helped the 49 members of the Marching Warriors, who think of one another as family.

"Here, it's sad if you don't know everyone's name," band vice president Dena Baity said.

Baity and fellow student leaders Trevor Moore (drum major) and Kayla Bryant (band president) talked about marching band as being a place that gave them confidence and inspired them to grow in and through their music, especially because of Nedzel's support and encouragement over the past three years.

Leaving an Imprint

Students were relieved that Ruklic is leading the program, but Nedzel's imprint is still on the band: He dreamed up the theme for this year's competition show when the group traveled to Hawaii last December. Upon returning home from the trip, Nedzel commissioned the music (by composer Craig Andrew Fitzpatrick) and the drill (by Nick Lane) so it would be ready for the upcoming season.

"Mr. Nedzel was probably the most organized person ever," Bryant said. "We have all our transportation set up for the whole year already."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he'd already booked our hotels and planned our next big trip," Baity said with a soft chuckle.

The show, titled Trapped, is described by Bryant, Baity and Moore as an angry show that expresses feelings of being trapped.

The work, though, has a deeper meaning for the students. Not only does it let Nedzel's memory live on in his students, but it's also helping them deal with his loss.

"It's as though someone knew," Baity said. "Without everything that happened (this summer), I don't think we'd be able to do the show the way it should be done (with all the emotions of fear, anger, doubt and worry)."

Marching Toward a New Year

Most of the summer, however, has been spent covering marching basics and preparing the home show routine, which is based on two pop songs selected by the section leaders. New director Ruklic wrote the drill component.

The Marching Warriors are currently finishing up their second week of band camp, with nine-hour rehearsal days, and Wednesday's session will culminate with a lock-in at the high school. The night also features a talent show and gives the band time to bond as an entire group.

"I slept on the teacher's desk in my Spanish classroom last year," Bryant said. "It was weird. Every time I was in class I'd think, 'I slept there.'"

Thursday will be spent preparing for the band's first community show, which is that night at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln-Way West football stadium, Ruklic said. The public is welcome, and there is no charge.

Ruklic's move from Lincoln-Way East to West was tough given the circumstances, and he said though he eventually planned to take on his own program, he doubted it would happen so quickly.

"It took a leap of faith for me to recognize that I was ready and also that I could love another place as much as I loved East," Ruklic said. "I didn't need to worry—the parents and students at West have been fantastic. West is a very special place. They are a very resilient bunch."

Check back next week for a feature on the Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins.

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