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Donette Osorio, second from right, with family and friends, applauds during the performance on her front lawn.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
ROSEVILLE — This was one way for the Roseville High School marching band to drum up school spirit.
On the late morning of Oct. 28, the talented musicians banded together to perform — in full uniform — on Rock Street, east of Gratiot Avenue and south of 12 Mile Road.
For about 30 minutes, they played their “Back to the Beach” field show live on the front lawn of the Osorio family, who won the raffle in the band boosters’ “Win the Band” fundraiser.
At home football games this season, the band boosters sold raffle tickets to raise funds for the program. The winning ticket holder won a personal performance from the marching band on the ticket holder’s front lawn. Daniel Chesher is the band director.
“I was ecstatic. It made my year,” said Donette Osorio, the prize winner. “I love the marching band so much. I love Mr. Chesher. It’s an amazing group of kids.”
The band members set the stage with their rendition of Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water,” followed by Camila Cabello’s “Havana,” the “Jaws” movie theme, “Wipe Out” by the Surfaris, and others. Their showmanship decorated the lawn, sidewalk and driveway of the residence.
Not only did the show entertain an appreciative audience, but it also raised $500 for the band sponsors organization, which helps to cover the costs of new uniforms, raincoats, the band trailer and meals for students before home football games.
The Osorio family provided a brunch for attendees that included doughnuts, hot chocolate, bagels and pumpkin cookies. The family includes mom Donette Osorio; her partner, Sal Tabarez; her daughter, Anna; and her son, Zack, who was in the marching band when he attended RHS. Zack’s favorite song of the set was “Havana.”
“I liked ‘Wipe Out,’ myself,” Donette Osorio said.
For Tabarez, the event “was a lot better than I could have ever imagined.”
“The overall reaction was very positive,” Tabarez said.
When the band played “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from the “Trolls” movie, onlooker Benjamin Wekwert said, “That was the best song ever.” The youngster attended the “Win the Band” concert with his mom, Caroline Wekwert, whose older son, Anthony, was a member of the band when he was at RHS. He graduated in June and is now in college.
“I do miss it,” she said of being a band mom. “It’s really cool to have the band playing in the neighborhood.”
Others got into the vibe.
“This was so awesome. They’re so vibrant,” said Linda Iafrate, whose grandson, Traegen Green, is in the band. “The kids, they’re so dedicated. They’re so loyal and passionate about what they do.”
About 60 students are in the marching band, but not all of them could attend the performance. “Back to the Beach” was performed throughout the season at home football games, the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Marching Band Festival, the Troy Athens High School Scholastic Marching Bands Invitational, and the Brandon High School Scholastic Marching Bands Invitational.
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