Ohio University students will be marching to a theme established by a former band director at this year’s Homecoming Parade.
The 2012 Homecoming theme was inspired by Ronald Socciarelli, whose motto was “Better than the Best Ever.” Socciarelli died last year, after serving as OU’s director of bands for almost 20 years and director of the Marching 110 for 17 years.
“A band director sees students for their whole college career, unlike some professors who may see them once,” said Richard Suk, director of the Marching 110 and associate director of bands.
Socciarelli was previously responsible for alumni band performances during Homecoming and was named a director of bands emeritus from OU after he retired.
Following Socciarelli’s death, one of his children suggested to OU’s Alumni Association to make the 2012 Homecoming theme reflect his motto.
People at the funeral service brought up the possible theme, saying that they “took what he taught (and) instilled it in all of his students,” said his daughter, Kathy, in an email. She will be a judge at the Homecoming Parade, the theme of which is the Marching 110.
The Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will perform a concert in commemoration of Socciarelli at 8 p.m. Friday in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
“(The) Marching 110 is always such an intricate part of Homecoming,” said Victoria Calderon, director of the Homecoming Committee. “They’re special to us. I love seeing students on campus react to (them being a part of our theme).”
Typically, the OU Homecoming Steering Committee takes a week to discuss possible themes and decide what would be best, said Megan Vogel, one of the committee’s two staff advisors.
“(Steering Committee members) thought it was a great way to honor a man so influential to Marching 110,” Vogel said.
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