ROWVA High School - Rovan Yearbook (Oneida, IL)

Page 8 text:

We Have Marched A Long Road Mr. Cottingham's first year at R.O.V.A. was 1972-1973. Mr. C is doing what he does best! 4 The 1974 ROVA High School Marching Tigers

Page 7 text:

ALONG THE WAY frif 1 A --- -{ === = = t------------------ HOMECOMlWf . am AW ACTIVITIES SPOUTS. . . . MUSIC .... APMWSTKATJON, FMTi; AW Wf AUTOGRAPH m................. nastptN..................... -S0PHMO IES ....... mrns........................ junior senior prom . sims . . . . AWARDS ASSEMBLY . GRADUATION . . . ADS................

Page 9 text:

Along The Way Before Mr. Cottingham came to R.O.V.A. in 1972, the high school band rarely travelled or competed. Their awards and outside experiences were few and far between. But after the arrival of Mr. Cottingham, changes were made and the band became more than just a “a band. Marching Band- The Marching Tigers have participated in a wide variety of events over the last eight years including the Bicentennial Veterans' Day parade; the Labor Day parade; the Prime Beef Festival; Western Illinois University Homecoming Parade; and the Morton Pumpkin Festival where they won first place each year. At the University of Illinois State Marching Band Festival the Marching Tigers have won numerous first, second and third place awards for drum major, color guard, and percussion in the field competition along with the following awards for parade competition; 1973-first place; 1975-third place; 1976-second place; and 1980-first place in Class C division. Jazz Band- The R.O.V.A. Jazz band has also participated at a number of events, banquets, and competitions including the Augustana Jazz Festival where they won second place in 1979 and 1980; Western Illinois University Jazz Festival where they took second place in 1977 and 1978 and third place in 1979. They have hosted their own jazz festival where they received third place in 1974, fourth in 1975, second in 1976 and 1977 and first place in 1978 and 1979. The Tigers attended the Northwestern Jazz Festival and received second place in 1976, 1978, and 1979 and third place in 1977 and 1980. They received first place at the Oak Lawn Jazz Festival in 1976 and have had several superior performances there. They received third place in 1979 at Northeast Missouri State University and attended the Sangamon County Fair from 1972-1974 where they received first place in 1973. The R.O.V.A. Jazz Band also played in the Sandburg Mall in 1980. Concert Band- At the IHSA State Organizational Contest the R.O.V.A. concert band has received division II ratings in 1972, 1974, and 1975 and division I ratings in 1973 and 1976-1980. At the Honors Band Competition at University of Illinois they received third place in 1977, second place in 1978 and 1979 and first place in 1980. Members of the band have also competed in the IHSA Solo and Ensemble contest. Summer trips- In 1975 they travelled to Rapid City, South Dakota to participate in the Dakota Days Marching Festival. In 1977 they marched at Winnipeg, Canada to receive third place. 1979 took them to Estes Park, Colorado where they competed in the Festival of the Rockies and won a bronze medal in concert band competition. As this book goes to press, a return trip to Winnipeg, Canada is being planned for the summer of 1981. Mr. Cottingham has vastly improved the bands. They are now considered one of the best in the state. Along the way from the small community of R.O.V.A. to state-wide recognition, Mr. Cottingham has taught them to reflect the pride in themselves that his eyes have always seen. A dream come true — Mr. Cottingham receives a souvenir place mat from the manager of Happy Joe's Pizza, Larry DeCamp. in Galesburg showing the 1980 Marching Tigers and proclaiming their championship in Class C at the University of Illinois field competiton. 5