Directors
Don Corbin (1925-1927) | Director of the High School Band
Melvin Burris (1927-1929) | Director of the High School Band
??? (1929-???)
Ernest McClain (???-1940) | Director of the High School Band
Donald E. McGinnis (1940-1941) | Director of the High School Band
??? (1941-1948)
Richard E. Weldon (1948-1956) | Director of Instrumental Music
Gordon Ritter (1956-1957) | Director of Instrumental Music
Douglas P. Handyside (1957-1961) | Director of Instrumental Music
James H. Billingsley (1961-1970) | Director of Instrumental Music and Director of Bands
James D. Lee (1970-1971) | Director of Bands
Bill Theis (1971-1973) | Director of Bands
Dan Backey (1973-1974) | Director of Bands
Roger Williams (1974-1975) | Director of Bands
Bill Mayson (1975-1977) | Director of Bands
Stephen Johnson III (1977-2002) | Director of Bands
Chad Guess (2002-2003) | Director of Bands
Ronda Schmenk (2003-2004) | Director of Bands
Leonard Gnizak (2004-2022) | Director of Bands
Ryan Jaeckin (2022-present) | Director of Bands
Melvin Burris (1927-1929) | Director of the High School Band
??? (1929-???)
Ernest McClain (???-1940) | Director of the High School Band
Donald E. McGinnis (1940-1941) | Director of the High School Band
??? (1941-1948)
Richard E. Weldon (1948-1956) | Director of Instrumental Music
Gordon Ritter (1956-1957) | Director of Instrumental Music
Douglas P. Handyside (1957-1961) | Director of Instrumental Music
James H. Billingsley (1961-1970) | Director of Instrumental Music and Director of Bands
James D. Lee (1970-1971) | Director of Bands
Bill Theis (1971-1973) | Director of Bands
Dan Backey (1973-1974) | Director of Bands
Roger Williams (1974-1975) | Director of Bands
Bill Mayson (1975-1977) | Director of Bands
Stephen Johnson III (1977-2002) | Director of Bands
Chad Guess (2002-2003) | Director of Bands
Ronda Schmenk (2003-2004) | Director of Bands
Leonard Gnizak (2004-2022) | Director of Bands
Ryan Jaeckin (2022-present) | Director of Bands
A comprehensive history
Strike Up the Band (1925-1948)
The Oberlin band program was started in 1925 after many years of interest within the school's student population. Until the late '40s, faculty and students from Oberlin Conservatory oversaw the instruction of band and orchestra students in the Oberlin City Schools. Don Corbin was the first leader of the band from 1925-1927. Mr. Corbin and his band played at annual concerts, basketball games, and only one football game in 1926. It was under the leadership of Melvin Burris that the band began to march (a tradition beloved by Oberlin residents from all generations). Mr. Burris, using donations from the concerts put on by Mr. Corbin, purchased white uniforms (shirts and pants) with red/blue capes and caps for the band to wear in 1928. We can only assume that the band grew so dramatically (from 16 to 26 in his two years) due to his affection and dedication to beginning the marching component of the band program. It should be noted that Don McGinnis, who would go on to retire as Director of Bands at the Ohio State University in 1979, led the OHS Band during the 1940-41 school year.
The Oberlin band program was started in 1925 after many years of interest within the school's student population. Until the late '40s, faculty and students from Oberlin Conservatory oversaw the instruction of band and orchestra students in the Oberlin City Schools. Don Corbin was the first leader of the band from 1925-1927. Mr. Corbin and his band played at annual concerts, basketball games, and only one football game in 1926. It was under the leadership of Melvin Burris that the band began to march (a tradition beloved by Oberlin residents from all generations). Mr. Burris, using donations from the concerts put on by Mr. Corbin, purchased white uniforms (shirts and pants) with red/blue capes and caps for the band to wear in 1928. We can only assume that the band grew so dramatically (from 16 to 26 in his two years) due to his affection and dedication to beginning the marching component of the band program. It should be noted that Don McGinnis, who would go on to retire as Director of Bands at the Ohio State University in 1979, led the OHS Band during the 1940-41 school year.
The Post-War Period (1948-1961)
In 1948, Richard E. Weldon, a graduate from Wooster College and a WWII veteran, was hired on to be the first Director of Instrumental Music. He is the first full-time faculty member to teach band in the Oberlin City Schools. Mr. Weldon taught for eight years before leaving Oberlin in 1956 for another appointment. Upon Mr. Weldon's departure from Oberlin, the instrumental music department, for only the 1956-57 school year, was under the baton of Gordon Ritter. In 1957, Douglas P. Handyside was hired to serve in the Director role. Mr. Handyside was a well-liked and highly regarded Director by his students and the Oberlin community as well. It was under his direction that the school songs — Pep Song and Alma Mater — were composed. Mr. Handyside would leave education to be a professional musician, while his home-base was still in Oberlin.
In 1948, Richard E. Weldon, a graduate from Wooster College and a WWII veteran, was hired on to be the first Director of Instrumental Music. He is the first full-time faculty member to teach band in the Oberlin City Schools. Mr. Weldon taught for eight years before leaving Oberlin in 1956 for another appointment. Upon Mr. Weldon's departure from Oberlin, the instrumental music department, for only the 1956-57 school year, was under the baton of Gordon Ritter. In 1957, Douglas P. Handyside was hired to serve in the Director role. Mr. Handyside was a well-liked and highly regarded Director by his students and the Oberlin community as well. It was under his direction that the school songs — Pep Song and Alma Mater — were composed. Mr. Handyside would leave education to be a professional musician, while his home-base was still in Oberlin.
The Billingsley Years (1961-1970)
With a new high school building came a brand new Director, James H. Billingsley. "Mr. B", a U.S. army paratrooper in the Pacific Theatre of WWII, received his Bachelor's degree from Depauw University and his Master's degree from Indiana State University. He began his career at Saegertown HS in Pennsylvania where he became an instant success. Known for his innovation and distinctive jazz dance style, Mr. B served as inspiration for many school bands around the country. In 1961, Mr. Billingsley came to Oberlin and led one of the finest band programs in the state of Ohio. The band he took to the Chicago All Star game had the highest enrollment of any edition of the marching band -- an 80-piece block with 10 majorettes. Under Mr. B's direction the band performed at numerous Cleveland Browns games, was invited to perform in Liverpool, England, and had a very successful partnership with the Avon Lake HS program and their director, Mr. Harry Pfingsten. Many of today's traditions, like the Light Show and the choreography for the Pep Song, were started by Mr. B and his bands. Mr. B left Oberlin in 1970 to teach at Massillon HS where he had continued success with the Massillon Tiger Swing Band. For more information about the life and legacy of Mr. B, please read "Music Moved Us: The Amazing Story of the Oberlin High School Billingsley Bands" by Pat Gorske Price, an Oberlin High School alumnus. |
A Difficult Period (1970-1977)
Unfortunately for the program, Mr. B's departure meant the beginning of a rocky period for the band. Throughout the next seven years, Oberlin City Schools hired five Directors. James D. Lee, Mr. B’s assistant in the ‘60s, served during the 1970-71 school year before departing for the Dayton Public Schools where he taught for a whopping thirty years. Bill Theis was hired in 1971 and served until 1973 to leave the education field. Dan Backey served as Director for only one year during the 1973-74 school year. Backey was followed by another one year director, Roger Williams. Finally, Bill Mayson served for two years from 1975-77. Because of a lack of consistency and a high turnover rate between Directors, the reputation and caliber of the Oberlin bands declined quickly and heavily. It was under Mr. Mayson's direction Oberlin High School had briefly stopped the instruction of a marching band.
Unfortunately for the program, Mr. B's departure meant the beginning of a rocky period for the band. Throughout the next seven years, Oberlin City Schools hired five Directors. James D. Lee, Mr. B’s assistant in the ‘60s, served during the 1970-71 school year before departing for the Dayton Public Schools where he taught for a whopping thirty years. Bill Theis was hired in 1971 and served until 1973 to leave the education field. Dan Backey served as Director for only one year during the 1973-74 school year. Backey was followed by another one year director, Roger Williams. Finally, Bill Mayson served for two years from 1975-77. Because of a lack of consistency and a high turnover rate between Directors, the reputation and caliber of the Oberlin bands declined quickly and heavily. It was under Mr. Mayson's direction Oberlin High School had briefly stopped the instruction of a marching band.
The Johnson Years (1977-2002)
In 1977, perhaps the most important legacy of the Billingsley era returned to Oberlin in the form of Stephen Johnson III. Mr. Johnson is an Oberlin High School alumnus who was taught by Mr. B in the '60s. He received his Bachelor and Master's of Music Degrees from Eastern Kentucky University, and actually enjoyed a brief period of time as the assistant to Mr. B at Massillon. It is without a doubt that Mr. Johnson rebuilt the program to the prestige and artistry that Mr. Billingsley left a decade prior. Within his first week of instruction at Oberlin High School, he recruited thirteen students to revive the marching band. Although they only performed the Pep Song and the Alma Mater, Mr. Johnson's first halftime performance received a standing ovation from the adoring Oberlin fans. Under his baton, Mr. Johnson's concert bands received ten Superior (I) ratings at OMEA State Large Group Adjudicated Event. He is the longest-serving Director of Bands in the Oberlin City Schools with 25 years of service to the Oberlin bands. Mr. Johnson retired in 2002 and now serves as an honorary trustee for the Oberlin Heritage Center (OHC) where he works extensively in archival work that is oriented around OHS and the bands. |
The Inter-Director Period (2002-2004)
Mr. Johnson was followed by two Directors who each served one year. Chad Guess, a graduate of the University of Akron, served during the 2002-03 school year. He now teaches instrumental music in Port St. Lucie, Florida. In the 2003-04 school year the band was led by Ronda Schmenk, who now teaches elementary general music in the Norwalk City Schools. Ms. Schmenk is the first and only female Director of Bands hired onto faculty by the Oberlin City Schools.
Mr. Johnson was followed by two Directors who each served one year. Chad Guess, a graduate of the University of Akron, served during the 2002-03 school year. He now teaches instrumental music in Port St. Lucie, Florida. In the 2003-04 school year the band was led by Ronda Schmenk, who now teaches elementary general music in the Norwalk City Schools. Ms. Schmenk is the first and only female Director of Bands hired onto faculty by the Oberlin City Schools.
The Gnizak Years (2004-2022)
In 2004, Oberlin City Schools hired Leonard Gnizak as the new Director of Bands. Mr. Gnizak, a graduate of Cleveland State University, had taught at Lorain Catholic High School for many years until the building closed in 2004. It is a happy coincidence that the Director position opened in 2004 and Mr. Gnizak came onto faculty because he stayed in the position for 18 years. Mr. Gnizak built the program up to a large size relative to area schools; the largest band Gnizak had was 72 players in 2019. He is well regarded by his students and his bands received many Superior (I) ratings at OMEA District Large Group Adjudicated Events. Mr. Gnizak retired at the end of the 2022 school year and is looking forward to his time with family and friends. |
The Jaeckin Years (2022-present)
Ryan Jaeckin joined the Oberlin team as Director of Bands in 2022. Mr. Jaeckin is a graduate of the Ohio State University and a life-time resident of Lorain County, having attended Avon Lake High School. At OSU, Mr. Jaeckin was a member of the University Symphonic Band and Men's Glee Club, and President of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. So far during his time in Oberlin, he has dedicated much of his energy on recruiting new students to rebuild the band program post-COVID, playing representative and more diverse repertoire choices, as well as founding the Oberlin Civic Winds - a community wind ensemble based in Oberlin. |