Do you love parade music?
Yes, please! The 2022 Park Hills Memorial Day Parade & Flag
Raising Ceremonies are set to honor our heroes, who lost their lives defending our country. We gather as a town with people, flags, decorated floats,
sirens, service vehicles, bright colors – and music – an important part of this time-honored tradition. Get ready for John Phillip Sousa’s brass band compositions performed by local
talent!
Whether participant or spectator, you can experience this Memorial Day and the festivities that go with it on Monday, May 30th, at the
intersection of Amsterdam Road & Park Drive, 11:30 am, rain or shine. Be sure to stop by the adjacent Food Court for refreshments.
Featured local musicians:
- Dave Haldeman's Stationary Marching Band: This band is a direct
descendant of Smittie’s Band, which played throughout Cincinnati parks. The band was led by George Smith, whose father led it before him. For many years
on each Memorial Day, they played in parades in Newport, Park Hills, and Aurora, Indiana. When Smittie passed away, trumpeter Jacques Shoemaker took over leadership of the band, then turned over to
Dave Haldeman in the 1990s. Now stationary, they continue to play marches by Sousa, Fillmore, Carl King and other great American composers. Smittie’s son, Richard, plays baritone horn in the band;
among Park Hills residents who have played in the band are Bob Schaffer, trombonist, his daughter Becky, and son Greg, all who play in the band to this day. Although the public has referred to the
band as the Haldeman’s Stationary Marching Band, Dave feels it should properly be called The Smittie
Band; he writes, “The music and marches are the same ones George put together over 70 years ago, and his spirit lives on among the musicians who play in the band.”
- Talia Zoll: Talia is a Park Hills resident and professional vocalist.
She has a studio in her home here in Park Hills and offers voice and piano lessons. Talia has supported the Park Hills Memorial Day activities over the past several years, encouraging her vocal
students to participate. In 2021, she performed a capella for the Park Hills Memorial Day Video, singing, “The National Anthem,” as well as the time honored, “This Land is Your Land”.
- Molly and Lizzie Chun: Molly and Lizzie are sisters who sing together;
both are currently students at Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills. In 2021, Molly was selected for the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts in Voice. Recently, she won 1st place in
the Kentucky Traditional Negro Spirituals Vocal Competition, as well as 3rd place in the Cincinnati Matinee Musicale
Scholarship Competition. Molly will be attending the Oberlin Conservatory of Music majoring in Vocal Music Performance this Fall. Lizzie is also a gifted vocalist, who plays guitar, piano, and
volleyball. She has also been selected for the Governor’s Scholarship Program, attending 2022.
- Ellie O’Hara: Ellie is a Park Hills resident, graduate of Notre Dame
Academy, and an excellent young vocalist. She has graciously participated in many Park Hills Memorial Day Ceremonies, most recently appearing with the Smith Brothers in both the 2020 & 2021 Park
Hills Memorial Day videos.
- NDA/CCH Marching Band: Director Greg Cerimele currently works as the
Notre Dame Academy/Covington Catholic High School Band and Strings Director. He is also a Member of both the NDA Fine Arts and Mathematics Departments. Greg attended University of Cincinnati and
received a BA in Secondary Mathematics Eduction. While at UC, he spent many hours studying privately at the College Conservatory of Music in Jazz and Athletic Bands; he was Field Commander from
1982-1983. Greg also attended Northern Kentucky University where he received a BA in Music, Classical Guitar, then went on to complete his Master’s Degree in Education at the university.
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