The RFH Band has played on … and on … and on for decades. And with the RFH Marching Band’s latest triumph as a Tournament of Bands champ, it was only fitting that a retro tribute to the band be played.

A former band member of the early 1980s had commented on social media that she wondered where the band went — size-wise, that is. Well, while the band is still out and marching to its own present tune, the more recent RFH bands have become much smaller, as with RFH Tower Players and RFH Tower Singers. But, as with the rest, the band, keeps thinking big and still plays on …

In fact, back in 1980 and many previous decades back, there were large band sections and, all band geek jokes aside, being in the band member was a sought-after spot to which many RFHers strove to attain — not that it’s not now.

Smaller and mighty as it is, the truth is that the focus on music and the arts in schools has shifted quite a bit in the past two decades, much to the chagrin of arts enthusiasts. It’s painfully obvious just in the size of today’s triumphant, yet infinitely smaller, RFH Marching Band, among the other arts. For instance, the woodwinds section alone, pictured here, is about the same size as today’s entire band.

No need to size anything up, though. A few woodwinds less, the RFH Marching Band of today is still marching to a strong drum beat, playing the field and their songs …

Now, what was your favorite marching song? Recognize these merry woodwind players of 1980?

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