Marching Band....A Full Circle

My Brother Dale

In Memory of Dale A. Halverson

by Jodi

In 5th grade I wanted to play clarinet, but because I had 3 years of piano lessons, they talked me into playing French Horn. I ended up loving the French Horn. Not only did I have an "ear" for it, I also love that it is the same "voice" as I sing in choir (roughly an alto). I almost quit band in 8th grade, but my friend Dana Ames told me that Mr. Spiwak was going to put me, a lowly freshman, in the Concert Band, bypassing the Symphonic Band where most freshmen and sophomores ended up. I was up for the challenge and decided to give the marching band a try.

In the summer of 1980, I joined the Oregon High School Marching Band, thus beginning an incredible adventure for the entire Halverson Family. Truth be told, I was more than a bit nervous. How was I going to remember 10 minutes of music and drill? Well, I did it!!! And I loved it!!!

Marching band to me is more satisfying than any sport that I had ever participated in......there are no "bench warmers" and everyone is important.....all part of a giant, intricate puzzle. I learned more about teamwork, self esteem, and hard work than in any other activity that I have ever participated in! AND, although I was a "band geek", TRUST ME, we knew how to party harder than any other group in school!

The next summer my brother Eric joined, and in the summer of 1982, my baby brother Dale started the program. The three of us had the best time!!! I loved it when, after our warm-up on the field, our fans would shout "OREGON KILL GRASS!!!".....just their little way of saying Oregon kick ass!!! We also were blessed with parents that got involved. My Mom and Dad not only chaperoned many trips, they were involved in the Band Boosters and eventually became Co-Presidents of that group. Most kids I know would be appalled if their parents were anywhere close by, but we loved having our Mom and Dad involved. I loved that they were there for us. They eventually became known as Ma and Pa Halverson to everyone.

Every summer, when we went to the Championships, the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the top Corps stationed in Washington D.C., also known as The Commandant’s Own, always performed in exhibition. This is where Dale felt his calling. He wanted to be on the Snare Drum Line of their group. My brother Dale took his music career to the next level. After graduating from Oregon Sr. High in 1986, he joined the United States Marine Corps. After he graduated from the School of Music in June 1988, he had a 10 day leave before he was to report in D.C. for his appointment in The Commandant’s Own. My parents and my Grandma traveled to Norfolk, VA for his graduation from the School of Music. They were so proud of him. We all were. He had achieved his dream! Sadly, my brother was on his way home on that leave, when he fell asleep at the wheel in Ohio and crashed head-on into a van. He was killed instantly. We were devastated. Dale had just turned 20 less than two months earlier.....and now he was gone.

My nephew James in his uniform and marching baritone

The following summer, my parents decided that they wanted to do something to honor my brother. At the Parade of Bands, the “big” Oregon High School competition, the best percussion line is given the Dale A. Halverson Memorial Best Percussion Trophy. My brother Eric's son, James, is now in the same Oregon High School Marching Band. I'm thrilled that a second generation of Halverson's are back at it.....learning new music, drill, and "killing grass"!!! Sunday night was our home show and it has now come full circle......my nephew James Dale Halverson.......presented the Dale A. Halverson Memorial Best Percussion Trophy to The Sound of Sun Prairie. Today is the anniversary of when Dale died. I can't believe that my brother has been gone 20 years. I’d like to think that he was there on Sunday night.......and was screaming "Oregon Kill Grass" just like the rest of us!!!