A notable force connected to Ratcliffe Field is the Purple Pride Marching Band. SHHS already had a band directed by Miss Pauline Van Schelven when Michael Listiak was hired in 1930. Listiak’s high standards not only significantly built up the marching band, but also the high school orchestra. The band practiced on Ratcliffe Field once a week and performed at each home football game on Friday nights.
The marching band would perform in more of a formation style, meaning students would create a shape on the field and play a song before moving onto the next formation. Today’s marching bands perform more precision-type drills and play while they move across the field. These formations ranged from trucks to horses. Another popular show feature was turning the field lights off and having students switch on lights attached to their band hats, sometimes switching them on and off to the music.
The original SHHS auditorium was dedicated to Listiak when it was refurbished in 1978 at the former Central High School. Listiak retired as band director in 1962 but remained as the director of the SHHS music department. The current auditorium at South Haven High School is also dedicated to Listiak.
Bob Boerma became the band director in 1967, five years after Listiak’s retirement, and would remain the director until 1992. Boerma is credited with coining the name “Purple Pride” for the marching band in the mid-1980’s. According to Boerma, he felt the group deserved a special name.Another notable force connected to Ratcliffe Field is the Purple Pride Marching Band. SHHS already had a band directed by Miss Pauline Van Schelven when Michael Listiak was hired in 1930. Listiak’s high standards not only significantly built up the marching band, but also the high school orchestra. The band practiced on Ratcliffe Field once a week and performed at each home football game on Friday nights.
The marching band would perform in more of a formation style, meaning students would create a shape on the field and play a song before moving onto the next formation. Today’s marching bands perform more precision-type drills and play while they move across the field. These formations ranged from trucks to horses. Another popular show feature was turning the field lights off and having students switch on lights attached to their band hats, sometimes switching them on and off to the music.
The original SHHS auditorium was dedicated to Listiak when it was refurbished in 1978 at the former Central High School. Listiak retired as band director in 1962 but remained as the director of the SHHS music department. The current auditorium at South Haven High School is also dedicated to Listiak.
Bob Boerma became the band director in 1967, five years after Listiak’s retirement, and would remain the director until 1992. Boerma is credited with coining the name “Purple Pride” for the marching band in the mid-1980’s. According to Boerma, he felt the group deserved a special name.
The marching band would perform in more of a formation style, meaning students would create a shape on the field and play a song before moving onto the next formation. Today’s marching bands perform more precision-type drills and play while they move across the field. These formations ranged from trucks to horses. Another popular show feature was turning the field lights off and having students switch on lights attached to their band hats, sometimes switching them on and off to the music.
The original SHHS auditorium was dedicated to Listiak when it was refurbished in 1978 at the former Central High School. Listiak retired as band director in 1962 but remained as the director of the SHHS music department. The current auditorium at South Haven High School is also dedicated to Listiak.
Bob Boerma became the band director in 1967, five years after Listiak’s retirement, and would remain the director until 1992. Boerma is credited with coining the name “Purple Pride” for the marching band in the mid-1980’s. According to Boerma, he felt the group deserved a special name.Another notable force connected to Ratcliffe Field is the Purple Pride Marching Band. SHHS already had a band directed by Miss Pauline Van Schelven when Michael Listiak was hired in 1930. Listiak’s high standards not only significantly built up the marching band, but also the high school orchestra. The band practiced on Ratcliffe Field once a week and performed at each home football game on Friday nights.
The marching band would perform in more of a formation style, meaning students would create a shape on the field and play a song before moving onto the next formation. Today’s marching bands perform more precision-type drills and play while they move across the field. These formations ranged from trucks to horses. Another popular show feature was turning the field lights off and having students switch on lights attached to their band hats, sometimes switching them on and off to the music.
The original SHHS auditorium was dedicated to Listiak when it was refurbished in 1978 at the former Central High School. Listiak retired as band director in 1962 but remained as the director of the SHHS music department. The current auditorium at South Haven High School is also dedicated to Listiak.
Bob Boerma became the band director in 1967, five years after Listiak’s retirement, and would remain the director until 1992. Boerma is credited with coining the name “Purple Pride” for the marching band in the mid-1980’s. According to Boerma, he felt the group deserved a special name.