Dear editor,
I would like to address the issue concerning the pride of Cleveland Texas – the Cleveland High School Royal Braves Band. I have learned that the current Cleveland ISD School Board members have voted to allow new uniforms. With these new uniforms, which I assure you are a need, they are allowing them to change a color. Changing the crossbelts from white to black, as well as the white Plumes, white to black.
Please allow me to give a little background; I was born (Leggett Memorial) and raised in Cleveland and very, very proud of it. I went through the Cleveland ISD system, Kinder through 12th grade, as well as my two older sisters. All three of us were in the band program from junior high and high school. My oldest sister and I were drum majors, and our mother was the Band Booster President in 1973, when she suddenly passed away. Our family’s dedication to the RBB has always been solid.
The RBB has a tradition of over 60-plus years. A tradition that stands true, full of pride, respect and integrity! Many of the students who have been a part of the program will tell you: what they learned in the program, they’ve used within their adult lives. So understanding the band program made big impacts in each of our lives. And it was a positive impact!
It saddens and disappoints me that such a successful, positive and effective program like the RBB, there is someone who wants to change a piece of it. Though many of you might think this is petty and/or small, but for us who lived, breathed and loved everything about the RBB traditions, it’s not. Even after all these years, it’s the tradition that we are proud of.
Many of us, the Alumni, are trying to understand why, why would the current band director want this change? Why would any of the current board members want this change? Do any of them not understand, realize or respect the 60-plus years of tradition?
My heart, as well as many other RBB Alumni, hurts that what we have always cherished and supported is changing. We are disappointed that the band director and current Cleveland ISD school board members do not understand nor respect the RBB tradition.
This change needs to be stopped! #traditionsmatter
Susan Ard
I totally agree with Mrs. Ard.
Does anyone else remember during the early 90’s the football team went into playoffs and a new uniform was purchased by CISD? It had black as on of the colors and the team was forbidden to wear them because of that. Now black is a color in the uniform.
Even though we know change is inevitable perhaps asking the tax paying alumni would be a good idea.
I taught at Cleveland ISD for my first two years in education. Those uniforms are a part of the school and the tradition. I’m with Mrs. Ard, why in the world would you change any part of that wonderful tradition???
When Pete Kunkel took over the Cleveland band program decades ago the uniform and school primary color was maroon. He was able to get the uniform changed to red, which he called “royal maroon” in order to facilitate the change. That lead to the naming of the band the ‘Royal Braves Band’ and quickly changed the schools primary color to red. The band has had a fine tradition of success through those many years including 1st division ratings at UIL marching competitions 67of the last 68 years, numerous UIL Sweepstakes awards, the state honor band in 2000 as well as seven 1st place finishes at the National Association of Military Marching Bands competition. Personally I’m neutral on the uniform color change. I sincerely hope the style and traditions that garnered the Cleveland Band program state recognition is maintained. To me that is what really should matter. Congratulations to the directors and the band for winning 1st place at the state marching competition! You’re success was well deserved!
Jonathan Kelly
Retired Director of Bands
Cleveland ISD.