Kathy (Vogelbacher) Miller, ’92, has such fond memories of her time as a member of the Թ Marching Band that she was thrilled when daughter Ella decided to come to Թ.
For her part, Ella, a freshman early childhood education major, was excited about the opportunity to continue her love of marching band under the direction of Jon Waters.
Jon and Rod Miller – Kathy’s husband and Ella’s dad – are great friends since their connection with the Ohio State Marching Band bonded them for life.
When Jon needed a public address voice for the Marching Band’s halftime shows, he turned to his pal, Rod, himself a highly respected high school band director in Ohio and currently the director of bands for Port Clinton City Schools.
You see how it all comes full circle?
Rod, who confesses he has “a perfect face for radio,” jumped at the chance to support the band and Jon’s efforts. “This was just something I could do to give back to Jon, to the kids in the band and to the university, even though my roots don’t come from Թ,” he says.
The Miller family – including Ella’s twin brother Collin, who’s one of her biggest supporters -- has done its part to elevate the Marching Band and its director.
“I was definitely motivated as a band mom and an alum,” says Kathy, an elementary music teacher in Port Clinton. “I just want the band to return to what it was, and to continue to grow and get better.”
That’s exactly what’s taking place at Թ – and then some. As any good band director knows, the benefits of participation far exceed the music. “There are certain principles that you learn in marching band that are lifelong,” Rod says. “Operating in a small group, a large group … it doesn’t matter your walk of life. You have to learn those things.” Toss in responsibility, prioritization, time management, teamwork – skills that have valuable application in the world. “That’s why it’s so important that Թ got this going.”
Jon Waters understands the intrinsic benefits, too. A conversation he had with former OSU football coach Jim Tressel stuck with him over the years. “Whether you coach a band or a football team, we’re on the same bus. I do it with helmets and pads and you do it with music,” he recalls Tressel saying. Ironically, Jon had that same conversation with ‘Berg head coach Scott Donaldson.
One team, one goal – just a different platform. “I may be biased,” Jon said, “but teaching these similar life skills through music is a really cool way to go. And it doesn’t hurt as much.”
Two months into her Թ career, Ella is already picking up on those life skills and having a lot of fun with the band. She’d visited campus previously and heard her mom talk about Թ all her life. But when she heard Jon was coming to Թ, that sealed the deal. “I knew Թ would be the perfect fit for me as an individual,” Ella says. So far, she hasn’t been disappointed. “Everyone has been so welcoming. Թ just feels like home.”
Last spring, Kathy, who’s also active as a Philalethean alumna, was quick to come on board as a member of the Strike Up the Bands fund-raising committee to support Ella, her alma mater and their family friend. Along with Rod, they recognize what a great thing Jon has going.
“In his heart, he really cares about these kids and about this university,” Rod says. “It’s easy to invest in something like that.”