Seventeen musicians took the stage on May 13 opening the spring band concert. Banging out “We will rock you” by Queen, band director Dennis Lindsay got the audience involved as the musicians hit the ever familiar notes of the song. Bang bang clap resonated throughout the room, the energy was electric. The Rock and Rollers later joined with the Percussion Ensemble halfway through the concert for an upbeat rendition of Oye Como Va.

This was the third concert appearance for this group, but it was the first fully inclusive presence with eight TRUST club members joining in the show. They have been practicing together twice a month during office hours throughout the year and their improved skills say it all.

In the second semester of his sophomore year,  junior Victor Malchev, transferred to Stillwater Area High School.

“I started going to Unified Band through TRUST club every other Wednesday morning and now going to the band concerts, which is really fun. So excited to go to the next one,” Malchev said.

“Living Unified” is the motto of TRUST club and with many of the members participating in this band it shows they do not just say it, but truly live it.

Junior Zola Tuccitto joined the Unified Band this year. “I participate in TRUST club and some of my friends in TRUST club did it so they asked me if I wanted to and I said yes,” Tuccitto said.

Paraprofessional Lorrie Shortridge created a documentary video of the Unified Band rehearsals and the final concert. This video caught the attention of the school board. The board was excited to see this group of students creating music together and invited them to the School Board meeting to be recognized on May 20.

“We have an exciting recognition tonight,” School Board Chair Alison Sherman said.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Funk introduced Lindsay and the Rock and Rollers and invited them up to the front of the meeting. As Lindsay was talking about the development of this group the band members filed in around him.

“We’ve never really been able, in our music department, to unify those elements together. I have had bands where kids were in the back experiencing but we said it would be nice if we could include them and truly bring them into our fold,” Lindsay said.

As Lindsay talked about the inclusion of Unified Band and TRUST club the musicians prepared to perform a small rendition of  “We Will Rock You”. Using plastic hand clappers Lindsay and the musicians engaged the board members to participate in the ever familiar three beat rhythm.

“TRUST club is a club that is inclusive and really brings everything, cheerleading to just being in a pony sport, and being a trusted friend, and I think that’s really important, so the Rock and Rollers were formed,” Lindsay said.

“Over the years we’ve seen the TRUST club come a couple of times, whether it’s for cheerleading and now for Unified Band and we are just so proud of all the work that our students are doing and all the growth that we see in the Unified programs and TRUST club so thank you guys for your commitment,” Sherman said.

After letting everyone know about the final upcoming concert on June 2 the recognition ceremony wrapped up, the Rock and Rollers finished with their signature “jazz hands”, a rapid clapping of the plastic hand clappers, took their bows and headed out.

“Something I’d like to let the leaders know and the readers know, is that to be in Unified Band and TRUST club is such a big opportunity to grow closer with the kids, and it’s such a great way to be involved in the school as well. Such a great program and such great people,” Malchev said.