The talented Shaw High School Marching Band and Warrensville Heights High School Marching Band have been invited to participate in National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Hawaii. The groups leave this week.

Each year on and around Pearl Harbor Day—commemorating the December 7, 1941 surprise attack by Japanese forces on the Pearl Harbor U.S. Naval Base near Honolulu, Hawaii—there are several days of remembrance moments and events.

As flags fly at half-staff around the nation as a symbol of respect and remembrance, the young Clevelanders in the two marching bands will take part in the remembrance by performing in the 2024 Pearl Harbor WWII Memorial Parade in Honolulu this Saturday, Dec. 7.

‘Trip of a lifetime’

Randy Woods, band director of Shaw High School Marching Band in East Cleveland, says he is thinking in the big picture as he prepares the Mighty Cardinals band for the trip of a lifetime.

Shaw High School Marching Band performs at Lone Sailor statue unveiling in Voinovich Park in October 2024 under direction of Randy Woods“To have the opportunity to, just within our craft, to put ourselves in a space to honor our veterans and those who are currently serving—it’s a beautiful thing,” Woods says proudly. “They’re at band practice all day, every day, it seems, but there’s a greater good we’re trying to accomplish.”

The school was invited to attend by Historic Programs, which plays a large role in organizing groups to perform in the parade.

While the Shaw band is made up mostly of high school students, there are 60 talented members that span grades three through 12, with the majority going to Hawaii.

“Look closely and you’ll see a lot of small members,” Woods explains. “We’re actually a district band and we all play together.”

The youngest students will join their older bandmates to take in the historical experience as they showcase their musical talents.

For Woods, he says this trip will be an experience he will keep close to his heart as he leads the group.

“First and foremost, I think this is an incredible opportunity for our students,” Woods explains. “Most adults don’t even get that opportunity to travel there. For them to be able to do this and prepare for this and actually do well there – it’s incredible.”

Hard work pays off

The Warrensville Heights High School (WHHS) Marching Band will head to Hawaii this week to showcase their local talent in a national, historically significant moment.

Warrensville Heights High School band director Donshon Wilson and band member Nadia KellyWarrensville Heights’ Tiger Band will make the journey to Honolulu this week alongside Shaw and also play in the annual 2024 Pearl Harbor WWII Memorial Parade.

A representative from the Pearl Harbor Foundation called the school and offered the invitation to perform in Hawaii, citing marching band director Donshon Wilson’s leadership and his success in the band program over the past four years.

When Wilson got the call, he couldn’t contain his excitement.

“It’s pretty cool—[Wilson] just stopped practice, and he was running around,” says band member and WHHS junior, Nadia Kelly.

Wilson has watched his 60 students grow under his direction. He calls them “scholars” and treats them as such. To travel and compete nationally during the season, the band members need to keep up their grade point averages to stay in the band.

“They work hard, they give up their evenings, their weekends, their holidays,” explains Wilson, adding that their perseverance has paid off with the opportunity to respectfully commemorate the events at Pearl Harbor. “We’re really hoping for our students to understand opportunities like this,” he says.

Meanwhile, band member Kelly says proudly, “I’m really excited. We’ve been working really hard. I’m even excited for the plane ride!” The significance of playing in the band on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is not lost on her.

“Not everyone gets to do this, so it’s very much an honor and I feel very privileged in that they asked us,” Kelly reflects while wearing her band uniform. “I feel excited and grateful.”

Not an easy street to Hawaii

Woods says he and his Shaw band members are excited and ready to hop on a plane after waiting years for this opportunity.

“We were actually invited a few years back,” he shares. However, the band wasn’t able to pull together funding to go. “This year, the district really got behind us. We have a really good group together. The opportunities really started to roll in so we’re very grateful.”

Woods says one of those opportunities came in October. “KeyBank made a very generous donation for the trip,” he recalls. “You know, KeyBank is such a pillar in our community, so it’s great to have this connection in our community and have the opportunity to be a recipient of their good graces.”

KeyBank also supported the WHHS band. Each band received $1,000.

Shelly Gorton, KeyBank manager of business support, is part of a group of staff and family members who are veterans in both active and reserve military who volunteer, make donations, and spend time and energy on military-related causes.

The marching bands’ invites to the Pearl Harbor memorial parade fell in line with the group’s mission.

“Our arts teams—they’re a craft I feel are underappreciated and at times, financially [strapped], and they put their blood, sweat, and tears into what they do,” says Gorton. “It’s near and dear to me and I personally wanted to make sure it’s a moment we supported. They are part of the community, we want to give to the community, and they’re a good representation of Cleveland in Hawaii.”

While the Shaw band’s trip is booked and they’ll board a flight on December 5, there’s still a need for additional fundraising to close the gap—even after much support by businesses and others.

“The total price tag for the entire trip is approximately $250,000,” says Woods, adding they’re a small district. While the district provided what the band needed to make the trip happen, they’re still taking donations to offset that cost in the amount of around $75,000.

The expenses are extensive for WHHS, as well, with approximately the same number of students making the trip as Shaw.

If you’d like to contribute to the Shaw High School Marching Band’s trip to Hawaii, you can call Shaw High School at (216) 268-6500 to make a donation arrangement. Checks can be made out to “East Cleveland city schools—Shaw band to Hawaii” and mailed to Shaw High School, 15321 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44112.

Warrensville Heights High School Marching Band is also accepting Online contributions for its trip.