In 1940, West High School, East High School, and Washington Junior High School all opened as new schools. Rockford High School became renamed Rockford Central High School (which today houses the Board of Education offices). A rivalry soon developed between the West and East Schools. Rockford West soon developed a strong marching band program and often, both schools combined bands for marching shows and concerts. For a little more information on the combined bands click here. The West bands continued the tradition of playing for basketball games, an important function, especially on March 19, 1955 and March 17, 1956 when the Rockford West basketball team won the State Championship two years in a row. Today, Rockford West is a Middle School and pictures of the marching band from the 1999 Memorial Day Parade can be viewed by clicking here.
--From "In Praise of West High School," by Hazel M. Hyde, Nuggest of History, Summer 1990, Vol. 27, p. 8
--From "Education. . .From Slate to Computer," by Stanley J. Buckles, Sinnissippi Saga: a History of Rockfod & Winnebago Country, Illinois, compiled and edited by C. Hal Nelson, Winnebago County Illinois, Sesquicentennial Committee, Rockford, 1968, p. 521.
IMAGES FROM ROCKFORD WEST
[Jim Rose, trombone
Jim Wetzel, clarinet
Jack Grams, drums]
In addition to the marching band, an ROTC band existed and some of the same people played in both bands. The ROTC band, however, practiced at 7 A.M. and had only brass instruments. The West High School Marching Band performed at all the home football games and marched in the Memorial Day and Veterans' Day Parades. George Zentz and Freddy Fisk served as Drum Majors. After football season, the band split up into two, Concert Band led by Mr. George W. Trumbull and Pep Band for basketball games led by Mr. Roger Ellis. As a special teat, on September 26th, 1959, the Northwestern University Band came as a guest band, but ended up marching during a heavy rain!
--From the 1960 Warrior, Vol, 20, West Senior High School yearbook, p. 136.
Courtesy of the Rockford Board of Education
[The Rockford West Marching Band during practice]
[Drum Major Steve Ferreira]
[Band Director Mr. George W. Trumbull during concert band practice]
[Peter Bond and John Gessner, trumpets]
[The Rockford West Marching Band forms their signature "W" on the football field]
[Claude Fath, baritone saxophone]
Mr. Ken Molnar started his first year as band director during the 1972-1973 school year. The Marching Band performed at all the home football game halftimes, the Varsity Band marched in the Veterans' Day and Memorial Day Parades, and the bands also played for the basketball games, pep assemblies, Christmas Concert, and Spring Concert. The Jazz Band formed for the first time during this school year.
--From The Warrior, Vol. XXXIV, 1973, Rockford West High School Yearbook, pp. 80-81.
Courtesy of the Rockford Board of Education
Copyright 1999 Rockford Public Schools. All Rights Reserved. All images are the property of the Rockford Public Schools and may be used only with permission.