The Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit has been named this year’s recipient of the Special Recognition Award and will be honored during the 63rd Annual Boyertown Area Citizen of the Year Awards Gala.
“We’re really, really honored that they’re going to recognize us. It came as a little bit of a surprise. I guess it’s because we do what we do because of our love for music and marching. We don’t look for awards or anything like that,” said Marching Unit President Tom McHugh. “This is certainly accredited to the marching unit and its members, the officers, and captains that put so much effort into this thing.”
He explained how no one gets paid and no one has ever gotten paid for 41 years that the unit has been in existence.
“It’s all volunteers. It’s amazing – the people that are so dedicated and committed to what we’re trying to accomplish.”
McHugh explained how the organization simply offers a place for local musicians to come and play; talent and skill level play a small role.
“Everyone’s welcome.” Members no longer have to be Boyertown alumni. The rule has changed to accommodate spouses of alumni and to welcome members of the Boyertown community.
“It’s pretty unique,” said McHugh about the band itself.
There are more than 100 members in the band right now.
“It’s a voluntary organization. People come and go as their schedules permit them to play.” The Unit has no rules in regards to commitment. “It’s an open door policy.”
He says they want people to have the feeling that “you want to come and play,” not “you have to come.”
Within the Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit, there’s the ceremonial band which performs at events throughout the community where the whole concert band isn’t needed.
“The Ceremonial band has been a big addition to the marching unit.” He said the addition was formed about three years ago. “It started off as a flagpole ceremonial kind of thing, and it has snowballed into – we could probably play every weekend if we wanted to. “
Coming up – the Unit is getting ready for its 41st Spring Concert on April 29. This event is always held the last Saturday of April. They also perform at Fun Days, held on first Saturday in June, and hold a Christmas Concert each year. Every five years they hold a 9/11 remembrance concert in Boyertown Junior High West Auditorium.
In 2010, the Unit was presented with the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce’s James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award.
“That was given to us pretty much because of the way we make the community feel,” said McHugh, “That’s incredible.”
He reiterated how they’re not looking for awards, but they do enjoy hearing the feedback.
The Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit has marched in Disney World, Washington D.C., and at the Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade.
“We’ve marched in Pottstown, we’ve marched in Reading, so many places, but there’s nothing like marching here in Boyertown.” Every year the Unit takes part in Boyertown’s Memorial Day and Halloween parades. “Marching here in Boyertown is a real thrill for us. We feel very fortunate to be able to be doing this.”
McHugh said he’s 62 years old and he’s still playing my horn. He explained how the organization not only offers musicians a place to play their instruments, but it also gives them a chance to play with other groups.
“We feel very fortunate that after 41 years, we’re still going strong. I think that accredit to the officers, the captains, and the members. We’re all on the same page.”
He says there are members that graduated in the 1950s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
“We have a diverse group, and you’re welcome to come and play.”
McHugh thinks the open door situation is one of the reasons they’re able to continue, in addition to the members’ love of music.
“The dedication for music and marching was instilled in a lot of the organization members by Arlen Saylor and Donald Kuszyk .” Saylor and Kuszyk were band directors at Boyertown Area School District. “Those two guys have really been an inspiration to us for our love of music.”
Support from the community and from the current high school band director Brain Langdon has also played a key role in the Unit’s success.
“He calls us for help, we call him for help,” said McHugh about Langdon. “We just bounce back and forth and work on music in our community together. That’s what we do. It’s pretty awesome what we’ve got going on here in Boyertown.”
McHugh said being a part of the Unit has been a lot of fun, and if it wasn’t fun – they probably wouldn’t be doing it anymore.
“We don’t take this for granted, this is a gift. This is a gift that we cherish. Anytime we can get out there and perform, we’re very thankful to be able to do this.”
The Boyertown Citizen of the Year Awards Gala will be held on Saturday, April 22. Many of the Unit’s officers and members plan to be in attendance.
