FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO HIGH PERFORMANCE!
When Paul Geresy started his blossoming career at Merrimack College in 2015 the band was so small they could comfortably fit inside 1 Merrimack van. The size of the Merrimack band was so small that the former director would turn to the local high school musicians and pay them a whopping $20 to play at Merrimack events. Geresy’s first priority as the new director was to build this organization from the ground up. He began working with administration to find inspired students who could play instruments or had a musical background. Thankfully the school recognized the importance of a student band and gave Paul their full support. In the first year the band played three songs, each one having a different meaning relating to and paying homage to Merrimack and the history of the school. As the years went on the band began to grow under the guidance of Paul. There were no longer high school students in the Merrimack College band section at games instead it was fully made up of Merrimack students which in itself was a big deal for the organization.
CHECK OUT THIS CLIP OF ONE OF THEIR LATEST PROJECTS!
WE ARE ONE... DIVISION ONE
As Merrimack athletics began their shift to division one, so did the band. Paul Geresy was able to hire Andrew Cody to help assist with the band as they continued to grow with the school. With the schools full support the band really took off! This smooth take off was unfortunately met with an abrupt and rough landing due to the new disease that was sweeping across the nation, COVID. Here's Paul Gerseys take on the initial months of covid...
“When covid hit we went remonte and as a band there wasn't much we could do, we would meet on zoom almost like a support group to talk about what we were going through and why music was so important”
The band's ability to roll with the punches and continue to grow was evident in their performances this 2021-2022 season. They took the year as a learning experience to grow and put full efforts into being the best marching band they could be.
CLIMBING BACK FROM COVID
“ …it was a big effort to get together and play music in the fall.. It was just difficult, we couldn't play at any events. We really loved being at the games adn to not be there it was very difficult” -Paul Geresy
With every setback faced the band had a creative and innovative answer. When it came to the matter of masks they were able to order special masks that allowed students to still play their instruments, the sound might not have been exactly the same but it was close! Although the band couldn't physically all play together due to the many restrictions they still found a way to create music that everyone could enjoy. Paul had each member come to the rogers center to perform their part in the Merrimack College fight song which was written by a merrimack alum. While each student came in Paul recorded their pieces. After lots of editing, time, and hard work they were able to put together an entire virtual performance! The band also made some other recordings which they gave to the hockey team to be used as a placeholder for the band until live performances could happen again. Gersey saw a silver lining with covid, he said “(covid) gave the band time to dial in with all their new equipment”, the band was really able to perfect their sound and chemistry during this time so when they could really come together and play they would be more than ready. Take a look at this clip of them performing at the Merrimack Men's hockey game this year!
THE BAND MAKES 2021 THEIR YEAR!
With all the trials and tribulations faced over the past six years the band has come back bigger and better than ever. The band has grown exponentially and so has their presence on campus and at merrimack sporting events. The energy they bring to the hockey and basketball games can literally be felt when you walk into the rink or the stadium. They're not just playing catchy tunes, they're also leading in chants and seriously bringing the noise and hype to the games. With insight from the president of Merrimack College and members of the performing arts faculty as they highlight the importance of the band.
Paul Gersey knew that in order to really be a band for a division one school they had to bump it up a notch, “One of the first conversations I had with hopey when we were going d1 centered around the need for a marching band. (hopey) recognized the importance of having a marching band. The groundwork was laid for the marching band shortly after the announcement of going d1” says Gersey. The goal for Gersey was to have a marching band ready to perform at the first football game of the 2021 season. Obviously this is not an easy task to accomplish, they needed uniforms, equipment, and training. Paul on his quest to find uniforms was pleasantly surprised to find out that two Merrimack alum actually owned and operated a marching band uniform company and they were more than happy to provide the school with crisp new uniforms. With the uniforms checked off, the equipment was the next big thing, again the school came through and made sure the band was fully equipped with everything they needed. Once August rolled around the band headed to campus a week early to kick off their training. This is where Paul and the members of the band had a lot of their fun, this was something completely new and they were able to make Merrimack's marching band eunique. Gersey said “We get to start this from right now and get to do it in a way that reflects who we are at Merrimack '' and that they did. Incorporating a rock band into their marching band makes their sound stand out from the rest. When the first football game came around and the marching band took the field… you would have thought they had been doing this for years. They commanded the field and the attention of the fans in the stands, it was truly a magical moment for all those a part of the marching band and for those witnessing it!