Dear Band,

With this season coming up and band camp starting I'm excited to see what this show will bring. I have heard there is tremendous progress going on. I will be trying to attend as many shows as i can and i will always come out and show support. I know that everyone there now wether freshman, senior or in between is working hard. I haven't been gone for one season and i miss it terribly so take advantage of all the practice time you get and all the time you guys spend together because you will miss it a lot. I challenge you guys to take Long Island take Upstate take everyone because you guys have the talent and staff to do it. I will be with you watching every step of the way... Oh and of course make Mr. Wevers proud

(P.S. the box says from but for me its love) .

Alex Yake (former member seasons 06-09) and (Your Biggest Fan) 

im very excited for this band season. we are off to a great start. the drumline is doing better than it has in years and the band is also doing very well. lets really work hard this year guys. We have a great show lets really show off what copiague can do! lets have a great season guys .

fellow band member 

I believe we are off to a very good start to our season already. This year which happens to be my last year, will be the year of major improvement and the setting of new standards! Let's work harder then we ever had before this summer into the competing season, GO COPIAGUE!!! .

Current band member 

Dear CHS Band Members:

I am very proud to see that you are continuing to perform as one of the best bands in the state. While I was in the band at Copiague ten years ago, we were considered one of the most elite bands. I have followed the band since I left and I am happy to see that the legacy continues. Continue to take pride in your accomplishments and good luck in all of your future endeavors! .

Raquel G. Smith (Baritone) Class of 2000 

I just watched the show on facebook, and I have to say... you all have certainly raised the bar on about 100 levels within the past few years. I am very proud of you all and very impressed. Fantastic show guys.  .

Carolyn Nitowitz 

I just watched a video of the Dome performance that someone posted on facebook. Unfortunately, this year, the only show I actually saw was at the Band Camp BBQ and let me say, I was very impressed then. But WOW! What a show at the dome! I would like to say congratulations to the entire staff of the Copiague High School Marching Band. With your hard work and diligence the kids put on an amazing show. Secondly, to the parents,I know first hand just how much energy you give to the band. They absolutely would not be as successful as they are without you and all your love and support. Lastly, I would like to congratulate the young men and women of the band and color guard. The hours upon hours you spend at practice, the sacrifices you make, the committment to do your very best - It all came together on that field on Sunday! The music, the marching, the guard - just incredible! I could really tell the band felt the music and the guard was amazing. Each and every one of you should be so proud of yourselves. I know all of Copiague is so proud of you! I'll sign myself as a "forever friend" of the Copiague High School Marching Band, Love, Darlene Roy. .

Darlene Roy 

Dear Copiague High School Band,
This year is special in a lot of ways. A lot of us upperclassman can feel the magic that we once felt my freshman year and we know we have the ability to be absolutely wonderful. To all the new freshman, it doesn't matter if we win anything it matters if we feel accomplished, and I don't think we truly feel accomplished by any of our performances yet. Don't get me wrong I think we've been doing a great job but we need to work harder. We need to know when to have fun and when to listen to our drum major when she tells us to be quiet and go to attention. I truly see all the potential we have and I know we all can and want to be great this year. Just remember that when you want to be frustrated with staff members and section leaders, they're not trying to get on your nerves they're trying to make you better and we have great leaders and staff this year who really know how to make this band amazing, but mostly we have it within ourselves to be the best we can be.
And for all the upperclassman, put your heart into the ballad and dedicate the music to Bruce when you play, he deserves at least that much for everything he's done for us rugrats.
So for anyone who reads this please work as hard as you can and let's show Long Island and the National class at Huntington and for the rest of the season what Copiague is all about! I love you all and let's have a great season. .

Lyndsay 

As a former member of the Marching Band I feel as though a family member has been lost in the past few Days. Bruce McCready was a Great drill writer, Instructor, Mentor, and Friend to all involved with the Copiague band. Although sometimes it did not seem like it, Bruce Loved us all and really took pride in Our Band. This season will be difficult and his loss will be present with all who knew him.
To the Upperclassmen:
Bruce will always be apart of you and will always impact your performance. It will be a difficult season without him there, but use each other to remember him. Keep in mind all that he has taught you, including "The Mind controls the body" and go to every competition fully equipped with "RUGRAT POWER!".
To the Freshmen: Although you don't yet realize it, you are joining a Family. All the people you are on that Field with, you spend majority of your time with during the Summer and Fall, and you will forge friendships that will last a lifetime. You are missing out on knowing someone that Impacted many lives greatly. Bruce was a Great person and if you get the chance to listen to stories the upperclassmen have of him, listen, cause you might just learn something.

March this season with Pride, and make Bruce Proud of what he has taught you all. .

A fellow Rugrat 

As you may all have heard we have lost a man that not only was an inspiration the field, but one off it as well. We would make fun of how he talked and what he wore, but we listened and held on to his every word. "The mind controls the body", "fire that heel...1..2..3...HUT", "your eyes are lasers" and the famous "you rugrats" and " hey bubba". Without these phrases no band season would have been what it was. And now that he has gone on to that marching band in the sky, we must keep is spirit and words alive from now to eternity. For he may not be with us pyshically, but he is in our minds and hearts and there is where he will never die. .

A proud member of the Copiague High School Marching Band 

I was a member of the marching band 1961-1964 and couldn.t be proder of your accaomplishements. Mr. Bradus, Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Glazer laid the ground work. .

John Bettis, Class of '64 

What a fabulous trip! As soon as we got home we watched the Copiague HS Band parade performance on DVR. Loved it! This was an experience of a lifetime and we are so happy we were able to be a part of it. I want to say thank you to all of the Staff who made this trip possible and who helped the weary chaperones throughout. It was a lot of work for everyone but we all pitched in and that makes for a successful trip. The band members were so well behaved and we had compliments from so many of the places we visited. It was amazing to be with you while you marched and hear all the comments from the spectators... we saw signs held by children that said "COPIAGUE ROCKS" we heard people scream "RICHIE WE LOVE YOU" from spectators that obviously must have seen the news coverage. We had a comment from an NBC Employee who said he was a graduate of COPIAGUE and was so happy the Copiague Band was there. Fellow Long Islanders were so proud to have a LI Band there. People stoped us on the streets of Manhattan to wish the Band well and to let us know how wonderful the Copiague HS Band is. Totally amazing is the only way I can describe the entire event. I would like to express a BIG thank you to Mr. Wevers for all your hard work putting this together and for giving the kids this jam packed fun and exciting trip. This is a memory I know my kids and Bob and I will carry througout the rest of our lives and I am sure that holds true for everyone on the trip. Hope everyone enjoyed the rest of Thanksgiving upon their return home and that all have a restful weekend.

Thanks for the memories!  .

Mr & Mrs (Beth and Bob) Burns 

Congrats to you all for this fine achievement. Amazing to see how far the band has come since my days there. Keep up the hard work and continue to have your eyes with pride..... .

Mark Smith '94 

GOOD JOB ON BEING IN THE MACY'S DAY PRADE. .

HICKSVILLE GIRL  

I may live in Virginia now but I always love checking in on how my band is doing. Congratulations on being picked for the Thanskgiving Day parade.

I can't wait to see what you will be doing next season.

Mr. Wever's you will always have a special place in the Collins' family hearts.

Best Wishes from,
JoAnn, Cleveland, Kathryn, and Matt (we were all in the band) .

Kathryn Collins (95') now Kathryn Watts 

Well, Mr. Wevers, it looks like you and your group have done it again! And I want you to know that this proud alum will be cheering you on as my wife and I watch the parade on KDLT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I also did a little braggin' on my Friday morning talk show on KORN

I don't know if you're aware that the Sioux Falls Lincoln High School Marching band is also in the parade. Please be gentle. *LOL*

Have a wonderful time and please give my best to the band and the parents who offer such wonderful support!

Your Pal,


 .

J.P. Skelly (who still has his trombone but afraid he might violate the city noise ordinance if he tries to play it) 

I don't know if you remember me John. I was reading Newsday online today and saw the article about Copiague's Marching Band. Congratulations to you and your students. You have worked very hard for this and I am happy for you.

Even though we are now living in The Villages, FL we will be watching for you in the parade. Stay warm and enjoy the recognition.


 .

Barbara Matis 

We just want to wish the Best Of Luck to our nieces , Emily and Grace Hall, on their performance on the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. We are so proud of both of you and can't wait to watch you. Both of you are representing a very special and important band. There is no better band to be there. We love you both very much. .

Eric Del Orfano (Trombone '84) and Theresa (Hoda) Del Orfano (Clarinet '85) 

I just wanted to congratulate Mr. Wevers and all the hard working musicians. Performing in the Thanksgiving Day parade will be another outstanding memory in your lives. Being a part of something so special is more than most people can understand. You will carry the memories, emotions, and pride with you always! As a member of the band from 1996-1999, those memories never fade!

Congratulations again, best of luck! .

Michelle Leone~ Flute/Piccolo Section Leader 1998/99 

I am so proud of my hometown band I could cry.
I'll be looking for you all on TV on Thanksgiving Day!

GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

Janeen Jackson Flute / Picolo Class of '85 

Success is not measured or compared along side the best in the game, but a measure of one against himself and the standards he sets for himself. I know this band's past and present and can only see great things for the future. To all of you perhaps disappointed or even those of you who feel accomplished in what you had set out to achieve, know that a number is a number regardless, and does not reflect or has no means of truly expressing or showing how much hard work, dedication, practice, and heart you put into something. So in the end, it turns out that the success of this band is immeasurable, because you set immeasurable goals, and meet them. Band's something special in that it allows you to see, first hand, the effects that hard work and persistence have on performance, in this case, literal performance. It reinforces the idea that when you work for something, it pays off, and makes it that much easier to continue knowing that progress is made. This is one of the few places in life where one can sit back, knowing that his individual progress has contributed to the progress, and therefore, success, of the whole.

ok...now that that's out...i just wanna say congrats to the band, first and foremost, because i do know and understand how much effort, time, money (cough), sweat, maybe blood(hopefully not) you put into the season...and know that you're biggest competition is yourself...i personally never saw band as a win/lose situation because i felt (as corny as it sounds) that the progress and strides i/we made as a whole exceeded that which was anticipated or even thought possible...it allows for progress necessary to achieve..for me it was a place where you can mess up (in rehearsal anyway), to try new things, the push your own limitations in order for you to overcome them...band's a place where you can let your guard down (it's always easiest to do so around family) and show its ok to not be perfect all the time and learn what you can and can't do...for the seniors..cherish the memories, don't take them for granted, because one one day when you're stalking people on facebook (hopefully not literally), you'll recall those jokes, insiders, phrases, traditions, laughs, bruises and scars, that you share only with certain people, namely, the people who became your family, whether you wanted them to or not...

good luck in all you do and keep in mind the people, experiences, memories, and values from this place because whether you wanna admit it or not...band's a good representation of life in general .

joe johnsen...trumpeto sec. l. 08 

I would like to say on behalf of the Band Parent members that you are all our champions!! I know what the results from Sunday night are but you all worked very hard and left on the field for all to see!! We love you and you are all CHAMPIONS!! We are extremely proud to know all of you and have the precious oppurtunity to be part of this wonerful organization!! On to Macy's where you can show this country who you are. .

Mr. & Mrs. Murray 

omg i miss you guys alot i watched the video on newsday the forms looked so good and cried when watching the video you guys are the best no matter what anyone says!!!!!!!!!! amityville high school band admires copiague not even they worship the band they said that you guys are number one in the world and they wish they could join copiague even though that i dont do band over here because when you among the best you cant go back down to horrible i love you guys so much and you guys are winners and no matter what anyone says you guys are good and the forms look so good i couldnt even see the weak spots you guys are better than arlington or west geny or any other band! dont give up keep with the good work copiague i love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and you guys will always remain in my heart!!!!!!especially my clarinet players , make me proud and you guys are make sure ya rock when it comes to the dome!!!!! i wish i was there but hey my heart is and good luck on macys too!!!!!!! later bye  .

marie aka joanne 

hey guys, it's suzanne. for those of you who don't know me, i graduated last year and was a part of the melophone section. i haven't been able to see you guys this year but i can't wait to watch it on television on thanksgiving. this band is capable of such great things. it can get overwhelming but 'cuse weekend is something you will remember for a long time, if not the rest of your life. i've been talking to some of the people i was in band with who are still there this year and i am a bit envious that they get to go to the dome this weekend. freshmen you are in for such a mindblowing experience. all of the hard work comes down to this. good luck this weekend. don't forget to believe and play the music!

 .

love always, suzanne 

You guys got a second chance. Use it well. People who feel they can support a whole section and can't are failing and people who should and can support a whole section are not. You have another chance so you don't embarrass yourselves in front of your community.

Relax, focus, and remember humility. It help a little. I know that well. .

A former band member 

I have looked back at the success of the Copiague HS band and couldn't be prouder. When I started Copiague, I was new to the school district and was scared when I heard "you have to go to band camp". I looked at my mother and wondered, What is that and Do I really have to go?. Well, My introduction to Copiague and 9th grade was Mr. Weavers and his very dominating presence. I sweat through a full day of sitting on the football field at the HS and wondered... "Do I really want to do this and is playing my instrument really worth it". Well, I am glad to say that It was worth it. I went back everyday 5 days a week, learning how to roll your foot , heel to toe. Counting each step and learning to start on your right foot everytime you took a step. At first, I couldn't understand what all this had to do with playing in the band???? Well, then after all that hard work and going to my first competition I realized so much. All that time sitting on the field getting to know the person complaining and sweating right next to you would be a key part of your success.
For four years, I learned that the people that you never thought could be your friends were probably the ones you spent most of your time with. The bus rides to PA, or anywhere across the Island. Then trying to figure out when were we going to be recognized for the greatness that we had inside us? Well, I can remember the time we won "best woodwinds". It was the best feeling I could ever imagine. Standing on that field hearing that we beat everyone in Woodwinds. (You can tell, that was my group). The pride that came over me and the band as a whole to hear we were the best of the best.
I also remember the days where we could laugh when Mr.Weavers would say "To Be early is to be on time". That is still something that I laugh about at times. Or when we would stand there with our noses up and I could hear the words "Eyes With Pride". Well, Now being as old as I am , my child now playing in the band, it makes me sometimes feel a child repeating their parent. I find myself telling my son, "To Be early is to be on time" and he now looks at me and laughs.

I can see how the band has grown into such an amazing organization and I am so proud to say that I was part of that. I can't wait for the season to start. My son and I will be there cheering you on and letting everyone know how proud I am that I was a "Band Geek" back then and still am at heart.

Also, just to say Thank you to Mr.Weavers. He was always such an inspiration even when I didn't realize he was. I take what he taught me when I was just a silly little band geek and now teach my kids the same thing.

and I am never late for anything LOL  .

"A proud Wood Wind Player" Class of 1992 

I really like the photo you have on your site of your school's band. I like it because I think it shows lots of talent.  .

Anthony J Trimboli 

As I sit here after reading through the site I start to wonder something.
I was part of the 1991 Championship Band. The year that this site often refers to as the first "break out year". In 1988 as a Freshman, I remember being snickered out by my classmates in school during the week and virtually laughed at by competitors on the weekends. Day in and day out we struggled for recognition in our own school and on the field of competition. Several nights a week we would practice our drills in the hopes that someone would see all the hard work we put into what we did. Long after the football team or baseball team left the field for the day, there was the band, clinking along. Weeks before school started in 90 degree heat, there were a small (if memory serves me right I think we had about 30 members my freshman year)group of kids learning how to march in step AND actually play their beat up old instruments held together with spit and duck tape!
Then something started to happen around my sophomore year. People started to notice. On Monday mornings we would listen to the announcements in homeroom of how the football team or baseball team lost again, but then the announcements would come to the bands weekend results. Silently, we would be proud of what we did. Not too excited to be noticed, we were still band geeks after all. But once in a while someone would look back at us during the announcements or in the hallway and smile. When we can on to perform during half-time people actually started to notice and some actually clapped. Little by little, our pride was starting to become our schools pride. I remember one turning point when there was an argument between the band and football team. They wanted the field to practice and so did the band. I remember the Principle at the time making the comment "This is now the Band Field, not the Football Field"! That's when we REALLY started to get "noticed"!!!
Now at 34 years young, I can still remember that feeling of hearing "Copiague High School, you may enter the field for competition". Watching the videos on this site when that was said, I still got a bit of a chill. I can still remember the first time we beat those damn Bulldogs next door. I also remember winning that first championship....standing at parade rest as all the other bands names were called before ours....then being called to attention and barely being able to keep still from the excitement of finally achieving the goal we all fought for in the 4 years before it. I remember "eyes with pride" and I believe the start of C-Rock!! My senior year and we finally became something our school and town was proud of. It felt great to finally see in others the pride that we in the band always had, even when we were getting kicked around the field. We had a silent pride that finally could be shown in public! I have had many accomplishments in my life since then, but those final years in the band certainly stand out.
So I wonder.... with all your current success... with all your awards... is it FINALLY cool to be in the band!!! LoL
Best of luck in your future and don't take a single moment for granted. Don't let anyone put you down and make you embarrassed for being in the band. You are part of a history that took many hard hours and years to build. No other organization in your school can boast such a past, such a struggle to become recognized. Being on the football team automatically comes with a certain level of "honor" with the students. As you get older though, you will learn, it's the things that don't come automatically are the things that you truly cherish and remember.
So long after the other teams leave the field and you are still there in the heat of August or the cold of November, remember you are part of something special. Part of a past group of people that would get laughed at for doing the same thing. I am sure those people, like me, still get a chill when they think of hearing the words "Copiague High School, you may enter the field for competition!” Enjoy it with ... “eyes with pride”!
 .

Still Anonomous Band Geek...Class of 1992 

I just have to say that I'm so proud to see the accomplishments that CHSB continues to make through the years. I’m truly impressed that you guys are now competing at the National level and will be showcased in the Macy’s Parade next year. Much respect to Mr. Wevers and the rest of the staff for their continued dedication to this program. Best of luck next season.


Webmaster's Note: Jase was a Drum Major in the 96 State Champion Band and lead Drum Major in the 98 USSBA Champion Band .

Jase T. English (’99) 

To the best Long Island has to offer,
nobody does it better, .

A very fortunate band parent 

I wanted to write to say congratulations on your first performance as a National class band this past weekend at the New York State Championship competition. To be amongst all those bands everyone looks up to, must have felt incredible! I know you all did an excellent job. You have made us all proud. Who would have thought just a few years ago that Copiague would climb from LS3 to LS2 and forge on to win it all. I think it's only a matter of time until we're saying "Wow, who would have thought Copiague would be National class champions." And so, I hope you all realize that ANYTHING is possible. YOU have begun Copiague's quest! Always BELIEVE! .

Love, Mrs. Roy 

actually west genesee will light up the dome way better. they beat copiague by 7 points last weekend...but good luck youre gonna need it im cheering for you anyway .

justin s 

Let me just express the frustrations I'm having. I'm sitting here typing realizing that I'm about to leave for my last practice...ever. What can one say, how can someone summarize an experience that has meant the world to them? I'm not going to try, because nobody would ever truly be able to understand what this band has meant to me. But let me just say this: if I could offer any piece of advise, anything for those returning next year, it would be to not take what we've had for granted. I've spent 3 long years in this band before coming to the realization that almost everything that I am, everything that I've become was and is, in some way, a product of this. Prior to my freshman year I was shy, lacked any kind of self-esteem, and comfortable being the kid who did everything right, but the kid nobody knew. What can one say when such an experience has helped to shape their personality, to help them break out of their shell and grow into who they've become. It's okay to pat yourself on the back, to accept those who are different from you for who they are, not the stupid things they do, and to have the courage to seek those that you will take with you for the rest of your life. How can I express the frustration I felt when I realized that I'm about to leave those who, both individually and collectively, changed my life? Now you may read or listen to this and roll your eyes, suck your teeth, but as I said: You'll never know what this experience has meant to some people; You'll never know what this experience has done for me. When I leave this place, when I leave my second home, this entire experience, my entire journey will mean nothing to anyone else. Colleges will look at words on a piece of paper, and that's all it will mean to them. How can I express my grief in this realization? And until you're in my shoes, about to leave something that has become second nature to you, a part of you, DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, because you'll wish you hadn't. Please realize that you can join any other club in this school, any varsity team, but if you don't make a goal or if you don't catch the ball, it will mean nothing. This band is the only thing in which people can notice a difference, notice progress each and every rehearsal; they can smile knowing that their band, their "family"'s success is directly correlated to the hard work they put into it.

P.S. The member's section would'nt let me post this so, here it is.  .

Word travels fast, you'll figure it out... 

just a little note for a big thank you... Mr. Wevers staff and band, I'm so proud of you all, Mr.Wevers, over the years you brought to Copiague dedication, morals, and values to these kids, Thank You... .

A band parent