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July 6, 2009

Schnader’s Braves march again

By Wayne Laepple

SUNBURY — For nearly three decades at the end of the 20th century, the Shikellamy High School Marching Braves enjoyed unprecedented success among school bands in Pennsylvania, and much of that success was due to the efforts of Dennis Schnader.

Next weekend, a reunion of band members and band parents during the Schnader era is planned, bringing together hundreds of people who, at least during their years as part of the blue, maroon and white-clad Marching Braves, were part of something bigger than themselves.

During the 29 years (1968-97) that Schnader directed the band, it was not unusual for 150 or even 200 students to be part of the unit. He came to Shikellamy after a five-year stint at Norwich Junior High School in Norwich, N.Y.

Schnader fondly remembers that time.

“There were three ingredients that made it all work,” he said. “There were great kids, an understanding and sympathetic administration and great community support.”

Schnader also gives credit to his assistants, Michael Tirpak and Ted DiCola.

“The three of us were together for 25 years,” he continued. “We were all on the same page and had the same philosophy.”

Tirpak retired two years ago, while DiCola expects to retire in the next few years, Schnader said. Tirpak conducted the Sunbury Middle School Band, and DiCola led the C.W. Rice Middle School Band in Northumberland, both of which fed students to the high school unit.

Schnader also appreciated the support from the entire high school faculty, he said, especially that of Dick Purnell, who was Shikellamy’s football coach during much of Schnader’s tenure.

“That meant a lot to me,” he said.

David Stahl, a 1997 Shikellamy graduate, and now a social studies teacher in the Pittsburgh area, was a drum major at the head of the Marching Braves.

He said Schnader’s name was synonymous with Shikellamy’s band throughout the state.

“He was the most influential teacher I had in high school, and he’s probably the reason I became a teacher,” Stahl said. “He put 100 percent of himself into his craft.”

Schnader’s band program was a way of life, and his dedication to the music and the students shone through, Stahl said.

“He instilled the qualities of discipline, respect and inspiration,” Stahl said. “You’d be worn out and tired, and he could get you back up. You didn’t want to let him down.”

Ryan Unger, of Sunbury, another 1997 Shikellamy graduate, said friendships he developed while in the band remain strong today. A trombone and baritone horn player, Unger said Schnader’s unique leadership style helped him learn a lot about himself.

“He is widely respected by many band alumni in large part due to his leadership,” said Unger.

Unger recalled the trip the band took to Florida to perform in the Orange Bowl as a high point in his band career, as did Schnader.

“That was our big moment,” Schnader said.

He also cited their trip to the Fiesta Bowl and the band’s performance at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Beating North Penn, a large suburban Philadelphia high school, in the Pennsylvania Cavalcade of Bands, not once but twice in his career also ranked right up there, Schnader said.

“I wanted to give the students the best possible musical education,” Schnader said. “The marching band was a by-product of that.”

The competition season and parades during the school year gave the band a chance to show off, he said, but he enjoyed the concert performances most.

“In a concert, you get the kids to respond musically, and those are my most cherished memories,” he said.

Schnader said he’s looking forward to attending the reunion.

“I still look at them as my kids,” he said with a laugh, “but they’re all grown up now.”

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