by Matthew J. Nolan, Alumni, Class of 1999

When the 1980's ended, so did an era in Reeths-Puffer Marching Band history. The band's sole purpose until this point had been to entertain at football games, using traditional methods such as forming blocks, the RP, playing the fight song, etc. Charles A. Hodson was hired in for the 1990 season, however, and with him a new attitude came to the program. With their James Bond theme, the band moved and played at the same time for the first time, stunning the crowd. In 1991, they turned competitive.

The band performed the Wizard of Oz, and at their first ever MCBA competition, the flight III state finals, the band captured first place in prelims, and second place in finals.

Murmurs could be heard throughout the crowd..."Who is Reeths-Puffer?" or "WHAT is a Reeths-Puffer?" People wouldn't be asking those questions for long.

In 1992 the band performed a show comprised of Duke Ellington music, and again took second place at the MCBA finals. In 1993, perhaps one of Reeths-Puffer's cleanest visual shows was put on the field, and another second place finish ensued. The band marched ninth graders for the first time in 1994, and with 120 rookies in a 160 member band, gained recognition by capturing the Michigan Competing Bands Association Flight II state title. The band also traveled to the Bands of America Midwestern Regional in Toledo, OH for the first time in 1994, and placed 8th in the finals.

1995 brought a very controversial show to the 204 member marching band. The band depicted World War II, dedicating the show to the veterans of the war. School officials believed the swastikas used to represent the Nazi invasion of Europe was not appropriate, so the band marched without them for football games. With a patriotic Star Spangled Banner to end the show, many tears and emotions were brought out by this universal crowd favorite show. The band marched off the field at the Pontiac Silverdome to a thunderous standing crowd, and took third place at the MCBA finals.

Another 8th place finish at the Toledo competition was also recorded. In 1996 the band got out of uniform and performed "The Thriller Zone," a show complete with face paint, tombstone props, and Michael Jackson's Thriller Dance. By this point, the band had established themselves as crowd favorites around the state, with people driving to competitions just to "see what Puffer's going to do this year." The band missed winning the Toledo Class AA championship because of penalty points, and had a disappointing 5th place finish at the MCBA finals. Despite these setbacks, however, RP traveled to the Bands of America National Finals for the first time, made Semi-Finals, and finished 20th in the country. Perhaps some sweet irony, the band that won the 1996 MCBA Flight II state championship didn't even make Semi's.

There was a general tone within the band from the beginning of the 1997 season until its finish...this would be the breakthrough year. Performing "How the West was Fun" with music from Aaron Copland, the band hit the Toledo Competition in full force. They captured 4th place overall, scored the top AA score in the finals, and established themselves firmly as "belonging with the big dogs." The band was neck and neck with the Mona Shores band from across town all season, each scoring higher at their own competition, with Puffer pulling out Toledo and the next few shows. The week before the state finals, at Jenison, RP took the music, visual, and colorguard captions, yet Shores captured the show. When the scores were announced at the Silverdome, Reeths-Puffer had scored their highest score ever in MCBA competition, a 91.1, and captured the state title. At the Grand Nationals, Puffer took 19th overall in Semifinals and 3rd in class AA, edging out Shores by a slim .05 margin.

In 1998 the band diminished severely in size (138 members), but none in accomplishment. Performing "Jekyll & Hyde: The Show" the band captured nearly every trophy at every MCBA competition they attended in Michigan. A 4th place overall and 1st place Class AA at the Midwestern Regional put them ahead of the defending Grand National Champion Marion Catholic and into the pack of national caliber bands. The band culminated the season by defending their state title in Flight II by a 3.75 point margin over second place Novi, and taking top honors in every caption but best marching.

Only 8 years into competition, the band has established themselves as one of the best in the Midwest, if not the nation. With numerous grand champion show titles, three state championships in five years, and a third place finish in class at the National finals, not many ask "What's a Reeths-Puffer?" any more. With a dynasty on the line, the only question surrounding the RP marching band is "How much better can we get?"

- Matthew J. Nolan, Alumni, Class of 1999, Trombone player and Drum Major
 

Jim Morse, 1966-69
Dave Collee, 1970-71
Dale Nesbary, 1971-73
Rick Morse, 1972-75

Roger Sherburn, 1977
Mike DeBor, 1978-79

Andrew Rogers, 1981-82

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