About The Band:
The Johnstown High School BIG RED BAND comes from Johnstown, Ohio, which is located 25 miles northeast of Columbus. Approximately 500 students grades 9-12 attend Johnstown High School. The 2019-20 BIG RED BAND includes 192 marchers that perform regularly at football games, parades and festivals all around the state. The BIG RED BAND is best described as a show style marching band that incorporates precision drill, high energy music and dance routines into its performances. During parades, The BIG RED BAND not only plays selections from their song list of contemporary songs, but also performs to a number of drum cadences and dance routines. Some highlights of the band’s in state performances include:
National Performances Include:
About The School Approximately 500 students in grades 9 through 12 attend Johnstown High School. The school is located in Johnstown, Ohio, which is about 25 miles northeast of Columbus (map). It is the only high school in the Johnstown Monroe School District. The school is located at: 401 South Oregon Street Johnstown, Ohio 43031 |
About The Director:
Marc Zirille, Director of Bands Mr. Marc Zirille is a 1995 graduate of Steubenville (Ohio) High School. Upon graduation, Marc was awarded the Ester Simmons four-year scholarship, presented to one senior every four years, to pursue his degree in Music Education. He received his Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Ohio University in the fall of 2000. While attending Ohio University, Marc participated in the concert band, varsity band, trumpet ensemble, wind ensemble, and was a member and Assistant Dance Commander of the Ohio University Marching 110. He was also the 1999 recipient of the Houck Memorial Scholarship, an award given to one junior each year. After earning his degree, Mr. Zirille accepted the position as Director of Bands at Johnstown-Monroe Local Schools, which involved 5th grade beginning band, 3 bands at Adams Middle School, and the Marching, Pep, Jazz, and Concert Band at Johnstown High School. Highlight performances include an appearance at the 2006 Indianapolis 500 Parade and a 2007 OSU Skull Session Concert. In 2004 Marc was honored with the “2003-2004” Teacher of the Year Award (from Adams Middle School) and the “You Make a Difference Award” (from Johnstown High School). After introducing the present day style of the Big Red Band and teaching for eight years in Johnstown, participation in the band program grew by 150%. His move to Olentangy Orange High School came in 2008 when Mr. Zirille introduced the Marching Pioneers and the Orange community to the enthusiastic style of precision marching, popular music, and high energy dancing. Since the inaugural year at OOHS, the marching band grew from 60 students to 234, and enjoyed entertaining Orange football fans, performed at festivals throughout the state, and marched and danced in parades. Highlight performances under the direction of Mr. Zirille include the Chicago McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013, an OSU Skull Session Performance in 2014, and a NFL Cleveland Browns Half time Performance in 2015. The Symphonic Band and the Blue Concert Band received Superior Ratings at both the district and state level. Under Mr. Zirille’s direction, the Freshmen Band earned four straight Superior Ratings in four consecutive years. During his time at Orange High School, Mr. Zirille was honored with the 2014-15 Orange High School Teacher of the Year. He was also awarded the 2015-16 Columbus Secondary Music Educator Award, presented by the Columbus Symphony. For the 2016 school year, Mr. Zirille returned home to Johnstown-Monroe High School and has been excited to serve as the Director of Bands. His responsibilities include Freshmen Concert Band, JHS Concert Band, JHS Symphonic Band, and the Director of the Johnstown High School Big Red Band. He teaches alongside his wife and middle school band director, Angela Zirille. Marc and his family, reside in Pataskala, Ohio, and is the proud father of three, Anthony, Frieda, and Cecilia. About The Staff: Angela Zirille, Middle School Band Director/High School Assistant Director Mrs. Angela Zirille is a 1991 graduate of Archbishop John Carroll High School in Dayton, Ohio. She received her Bachelors of Music Education from Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music in 1995. Upon graduation, Angela served as Director of Bands at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio. During the summers from 1991-1999, she worked as a Field Commander Instructor, Staff Coordinator, and Clinic Administrator for Fred J. Miller Clinics, a nationally known summer clinic for Marching Band Auxiliary Units. In 1999, she left for Ohio University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Music Performance with an emphasis in Wind Conducting. During her stay at Ohio University, Angela served as a Graduate Associate for the Band Department, allowing her the opportunity to work with the OU Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Varsity Bands, and the Ohio University Marching 110. Upon graduation, Angela earned the honor of being named one of Ohio University’s Outstanding Graduate Associates and was the 2001 recipient of the Ronald P. Socciarelli Service Award. During the 2001-2002 school year, Angela was the Director of Bands at Northridge High School in Johnstown, Ohio. Mrs. Zirille was the fifth Grade Band Specialist in Hilliard City Schools from 2002-2006, where she worked with seven elementary groups, 6th grade woodwinds, and assisted at the three middle schools. Since 2006, Mrs. Zirille has been the Johnstown Middle School Band Director, and was the 2021 recipient of the Licking County Leaders in Learning Award for Johnstown-Monroe School District. She and her husband, Marc, live in Pataskala with their three children, Anthony, Frieda, and Cecilia. |