Instead of cheering for the Ravens in the stands, music teacher Marc Bolden is going to be on the field blaring his trumpet. Bolden has joined the Ravens marching band as a trumpet player and could be playing at his first game as soon as Christmas Eve.
“It seemed like a fun opportunity, and when I saw the audition requirements I thought, ‘I could do that,’” Bolden said.
As a bonus to being part of the band, Bolden receives free admission for all the games he plays at. “I’m excited about having another performing opportunity. As a football fan, I’m also excited about attending the games,” Bolden said.
Bolden graduated with the class of ‘03 and was an active member of band during his time as a student. He played the trumpet all four years in concert band and marching band. He also played the snare drum as a sophomore, and became a drum major his junior and senior year.
Bolden is currently in charge of the music department. He teaches band, chorus, orchestra, and digital audio, and runs extra-curricular activities such as pep band, jazz band, and Belle Voce.
“At the end of last year he wasn’t sure if he’d still be teaching here, but then he got a full time job here, got married, found out he’s going to have a baby, and now he’s going to be in the Ravens marching band,” junior Mary Kate Luft said.
“This year band has been so much fun and I feel like our peers respect us [the band] more as a group as far as football games are concerned. He’s taken on a lot this year between running Bella Voce, Chorus, Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band, and he’s doing a really great job balancing it all,” senior Erin Cullinan said.
With Bolden playing for the Ravens, the opportunity could also benefit the music department. “I’ve been told that there could be some help with music that they could pass on to us, as well as help with music prices,” Bolden said. According to Bolden, there were also “talks about something happening with uniforms in the future… that could be very beneficial,” although Bolden is unsure of the details.
“When talking to Mr. Bolden… he said that he might be able to get the band new uniforms. This is wonderful, as we’ve had the same uniforms for years,” sophomore Travis Nelson said.
Besides the tangible benefits, the attention could be good for the school, as well as the music department. “The music department goes unappreciated a lot, and this could help put us on the map at John Carroll,” junior Jimmy Knell said.
“Bolden deserves such a good opportunity because he works so hard and a lot of his work goes unrecognized,” Knell said.
Martha Schick is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.