Marching Band - Wind Ensemble - Symphonic Band - Concert Band - Jazz Band

Holt High School Bands

Holt, Michigan

The History of Holt Bands

First Band Organized in 1929

While there had been community bands and church bands in Holt dating back decades, as well as a Holt High School Orchestra organized in 1926, it was not until early December of 1929 that the Holt High School band program was organized. The first formal superintendent of Holt Schools was Mr. Larned G. Goodrich (pictured at left), from 1923 through 1936. Mr. Goodrich was "instrumental" in organizing the band program for the school. The Frank Holton Company, manufacturers of musical instruments based in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, presented a plan to the administration of Holt Schools to launch a band program. The Holton Company’s plan, as laid out to the district, would take any student that had the slightest experience in playing an instrument as well as any student who had the desire to purchase an instrument from them, and agreed to supply an instructor for twelve weeks with no cost to Holt Schools. According to the 1930 Holt High School annual, The Lone Pine, Mr. Goodrich “thought it too good an opportunity to pass.”

Mr. Goodrich accepted the Holton Company’s plan in 1929 and an instructor was hired. Mr. Charles Spears from Lansing was brought in to instruct those students interested. Mr. Spears instructed for most of the year, and during the latter part of the year Mr. Frank C. Perne directed the lessons. Mr. Perne was instructor of all brass, reed, and percussion instruments at the Lansing School of Music in the 1920s. Perne gave lessons to Holt students on Friday afternoons. All else who wished to have lessons with Mr. Perne would pay twenty-five cents for each lesson. The Holton Company’s plan was seen as a firm start for a band program in Holt, and the lessons gave the group a real starting point from which they could develop a true band program. When Mr. Spears and Mr. Perne completed the terms of the Holton Company’s deal, a Holt High School staff member was placed in direction of the band. The logical choice was Miss Alberta Phillips (pictured at right), who had already been the director of the orchestra. Of the original seventeen band members, seven had prior music experience. In its first year, the band played several selections at the Holt Musical Night. The new ensemble had only a few pieces of music prepared to play on a public stage, though on the few occasions that they did perform they made a good showing. The initial goal of the band was to build up enough membership to have play at Holt High School athletic events. It is not known whether Miss Phillips remained as director beyond 1931. The 1929 HHS Band is pictured below with Miss Phillips (PC: 1930 "The Lone Pine" Yearbook).

Mr. Openlander & The First Uniforms

Mr. Stuart Openlander was hired as a teacher in Holt in 1934, fresh out of college in Albion, and quickly moved into a leading role in the district. During the 1936-1937 school year, Mr. Openlander was Holt High School’s Director of Music. By this time, the band consisted of twenty-five members, including a drum major. In 1935, the band, with assistance from the board of education and local businesses, purchased their first set of uniforms. The uniform consisted of brown and gold caps and capes, the gold capes were emblazoned with a brown “H," and the students would wear their own apparel to accompany the cap and cape. Brown and Gold had been Holt's school colors since 1925. During the 1936-1937 school year, the band made several appearances with their new uniforms, including at the annual band festival that was held in Mason. These uniforms were likely purchased due to the growing presence of the band in public. It is estimated that around this time the band began marching in parades and at various events in Holt. Mr. Openlander was named superintendent in 1938 and left his post as band director. The 1936 HHS Band is pictured below wearing their new uniforms (PC: 1936 "The Lone Pine" Yearbook).

Mr. Hewlett & The Holt Fight Song

It is believed that around 1938, Mr. Rex Hewlett was hired as director of Holt High School’s band program. It was during Mr. Hewlett’s time in Holt that an original fight song was written. It is said that Mr. Hewlett, along with student Robert P. Baisel, drafted the fight song around 1938. That song is still played by the Holt High School band today. In the mid-1940s, Holt Schools outgrew their single school building. A pair of "outbuildings," with hickory flooring, were built behind the Holt School to solve the space problem. One use of the outbuildings, among others, was to house the Holt Band. The band used the outbuildings for many years and there are many stories that are set in the old structures. It is estimated that Mr. Hewlett remained in Holt until approximately 1947. After his tenure in Holt, he moved to Mount Pleasant, Michigan where he took up duties as director of the high school bands and briefly as Central Michigan University’s band director.

The Late-1940s: A Period of Change

Upon Mr. Hewlett's leave from Holt in 1947, it is estimated that Mr. Arland Doolittle (pictured at left) was hired as Holt's Director of Music. Shortly after Mr. Doolittle's arrival, a new set of full uniforms were purchased for the Holt Band. The uniforms were adorned with a gold patch on the shoulder that featured the word “Holt” amid the image of musical lyre. The new uniforms likely came due to the construction of Holt’s first official football field in 1948. The field was located at the corner of Aurelius Road and Sycamore Street and was known as "Memorial Field" for many years. Holt had various make-shift fields prior to 1948, but nothing compared to the bleachers and lights that were at the new site. Mr. Doolittle left Holt in 1949. In the fall of 1949, Holt's newly constructed elementary building, Midway School, opened. Music would still need to be taught at both buildings. That duty fell onto the school's Director of Music - a position that would be filled for the start of the 1949 school year by Mr. Don Tatroe. The 1947-1948 HHS Band with Mr. Doolittle is pictured below in their new uniforms in the high school gymnasium (PC: 1948 Holt High School Yearbook).

Mr. Tatroe & His Busy Band

In 1949, Mr. Donald Tatroe was hired as Holt's Director of Music. It was noted that Mr. Tatroe was handed the baton to a well-developed band from Mr. Doolittle. In his first year, the band took up all new activities, among them was participation in the Charlotte Marching Band Festival, the District Band and Orchestra Festival, and the Holland Tulip Festival Parade. The band took first place in the Tulip Festival Parade in 1950. The 1951 Holt High School annual, the first Rampages, read, “The Varsity Band’s 1950-51 agenda proved the fullest in its history.” Mr. Tatroe continued the band's busy schedule every year that he was in charge. In 1950, the band began diligent rehearsals earlier than usual in order to prepare for their performance at the Michigan State Fair. The band played in parades, concerts, assemblies, and even for Governor G. Mennen "Soapy" Williams. Among Mr. Tatroe's legacies in Holt is the implementation of themed halftime shows with their intricate formations and recognizable tunes. Mr. Tatroe also began the tradition of the year-end picnic at Round Lake. Mr. Tatroe took up other duties in Holt in 1951. He worked teaching other classes, as well as serving as athletic director and assistant principal. Tatroe ultimately left Holt in 1952 for a new position as principal of Haslett High School. With Mr. Tatroe's exit from Holt, a new long and storied era in Holt would begin!

The Winters Era

Following high commendation from Mr. Tatroe, Mr. Gerald Winters (pictured at right) was hired in Holt in 1952. Mr. Winters was a fresh graduate of Michigan State College, where his primary instrument was trombone and he had marched in the MSC Spartan Marching Band. Winters had studied with the legendary MSC Director of Bands Leonard Falcone.

Though Winters was given a very talented band, he immediately improved the quality of the band. In his first year, Winters' band received a Division I rating at the District Band and Orchestra Festival (the 1952 plaque still hangs in the HHS Band room today). Upon Winters' arrival, the district expanded yet again with the construction of Elliott and Sycamore Elementary Schools - Winters taught music in all of the district's buildings for decades.

Winters continued the tradition of maintaining a busy schedule for the band. The 1955 Holt Band marched in the Michigan State University Centennial Parade, as well as the auto show in Lansing. Winters' bands played at the normal football games, concerts, and assemblies. Individual students performed at well over fifty engagements around Holt over the course of the school year. The 1956 Rampages yearbook noted that “Holt High School and surrounding community can be justly proud of the band and all of their accomplishments. One of the biggest reasons for giving the band well deserved praise is that the band plays nothing but ‘Class A’ music.”

Michigan State University Band Day

Michigan State University began its annual Band Day tradition in 1954. With Winters' connection to Michigan State, the Holt Band naturally attended. It is remembered as a treat for the Holt Band to perform on the banks of the Red Cedar River. The band traditionally rehearsed on Old College Field near the bend in the river. Most all that attended have vivid recollections of the sound of the bands in the open air and the tunes bouncing off the historic campus buildings like the nearby Jenison Fieldhouse. All remember the chance to perform in Spartan Stadium and being conducted by Leonard Falcone and in later years by Kenneth Bloomquist. The Holt Band attended Band Day every year for decades. The event annually brought in thousands of students from across the state. Band Day finally came to an end in 2001. MSU Band Day is pictured in its heyday below.

Holt Pep Band & Jazz Band

Mr. Winters had established a Pep Band by the 1956-1957 school year. The pep band played at pep rallies, basketball games, and various other engagements over the years. The Holt Pep Band lasted until 1991 when it disbanded under the new direction of Mr. Timothy Parry. Mr. Parry ended the traditional Pep Band and launched a Jazz Band. The Jazz Band still performed at pep assemblies and basketball games. The band frequently had guest performers, like Holt High School teacher Mr. Peter Kressler. Mr. Parry also played with the band in addition to leading the group. The ensemble made special appearances at events like Girls Swim Meets. On one occasion, Mr. Parry played a trumpet solo of the Star Spangled Banner at a Girls Swim Meet. The Holt Jazz Band still exists today, though it serves a different purpose, and does not perform at athletic events. A 1980s Pep Band is pictured at left.

New and Improved Uniforms

Mr. Winters made one change that added a new “flash” to the band’s appearance in 1957. A white cross-strap was added to the same brown and gold military-style uniforms. The straps included a brass buckle in the center. It was required of students to polish the buckle every game day to add the extra sparkle under the lights at football games. A bottle of brass polish was kept in the band room for the sole purpose of shining the buckles. In addition to the cross-strap, Winters added white gloves and white spats to the band uniform. This new uniform hearkened back to Winters' time at Michigan State. The Spartan Marching Band had received their first green and white uniforms in 1952 with a white cross-strap, gloves, and spats. The new uniform look, as worn by a 1950s drumline member, is pictured at left.

The 1950s & '60s

The 1958 Rampages yearbook stated that the Holt Band had “become well known in the music circles of central Michigan.” The Holt Band consisted of fifty-five members this year. The Holt Band performed in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan Band Day in 1957, the band also marched in downtown Lansing in the General Motors 50th Anniversary Parade. The band performed its usual annual concerts, assemblies, and other engagements. The Holt Board of Education approved a summer program for the summer of 1958. For a fee of five dollars, a band student could participate in the lessons program for one hour each day of the week for six weeks in the summer with Mr. Winters.

The 1958-1959 school year brought some change to the Holt High School Band. The new high school building opened for the fall of 1958 at the corner of Aurelius Road and Sycamore Street. This move meant that the band was no longer confined to the space of the old frame outbuildings behind the main school building. The band would have its own space inside the new Holt High School. Performances were now held in the school gymnasium. The band played at all of Holt’s home football games under the new lights at the improved football complex.

The 1959-1960 school year was a special one for Holt’s band director Mr. Gerald Winters. Not only was he establishing his presence and importance to Holt High School by developing the band into a highly regarded ensemble, but the student body recognized that. The 1960 Rampages yearbook was dedicated to Mr. Winters. Each year, the yearbook committee would hold an assembly to announce the Rampages dedication, Mr. Winters was surprised, honored and humbled to have been chosen as the dedicatee by the students and faculty of Holt High School. The band performed its usual rigorous schedule throughout the year. The yearbook dedication is reproduced at right.

The old outbuildings where band was taught for years, behind the Holt Junior High School (previously Holt High School) at the corner of Holt Road and Park Lane, were demolished in 1963 to make room for an addition to the building. It was a sad day for the history of the band. Though the buildings were not ideal, they were highly sentimental. When the buildings came down so did a portion of the band's history.

The Holt Band saw an interesting dilemma in 1963. Because the band uniforms were wool, they had become severely worn and new uniforms were needed, however that was not feasible. The solution to the issue was to purchase some replacement uniforms. One of the uniforms that was replaced was the drum major uniform, among others.

One aspect that was fairly new was the Solo and Ensemble option for band students. Seventeen students participated in the program. In addition, three Holt High School Band students participated in the Lansing Conservatory of Music’s Third Annual All-Stars Concert held at St. Johns High School. High profile collegiate band directors Leonard Falcone (Michigan State) and Al J. Wright (Purdue) were guest conductors at the concert.

For the 1966-1967 school year, the band had a special opportunity. U.S. Interstate 127 was having its grand opening and the ceremony needed musical entertainment. The band was asked to participate and Winters took the opportunity to show off the skilled band that he had developed. The interstate grand opening ceremony was held on Friday, October 14, 1966 near the Holt interchange. The ceremony opened seven new miles of the freeway which connected Mason to the Interstate 96 freeway. Just minutes after the band and ceremony were standing atop the new interstate highway, traffic began speeding by.

Annual Kiwanis Formal Band Concert

A tradition that started under Mr. Winters’ direction was the annual Formal Spring Band Concert. Mr. Evans Brown, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Holt, approached Mr. Winters and the Band Boosters in an attempt to establish an annual fundraiser. The Kiwanis Club of Holt would do all of the planning for the formal concert, in which there was admission charged. All that Winters was responsible for was preparing the band for their performance at the concert. The Formal Spring Band Concert was held annually for years and years.

A "Class A" Institution

In the late 1960s, Holt High School grew from a Class C school to a Class B school and finally up to a Class A institution. Along with the increase in class for the school, the music performed by the band naturally got more difficult. By the 1970-1971 school year, the Holt High School Band gave a marvelous performance at the Class A District Band and Orchestra Festival and received high praise. In the 1971-1972 school year, Winters’ band received a Division I rating at the Class A District Band and Orchestra Festival and moved onto the State Band and Orchestra Festival. At states, the band received a Division I rating, the highest possible rating at the statewide level.

The Block-H Uniforms

The 1971-1972 school year was a special and exciting one for the members of the Holt High School Band! After twenty-four years with the same old uniforms, and thirty-seven years since their first uniforms, the band received a new full set of band uniforms. It was not without some serious fundraising campaigns, though. The band students, Holt Band Boosters, and Holt Board of Education saved for years for the ultimate goal of new uniforms. Ninety uniforms were purchased at the cost of $105 each, with a total cost of $9,600. The funds were raised partially by a canvassing of the Holt-Dimondale community in February 1972. The band students went door to door asking for donations to the Band Uniform Fund. It was the goal of the drive to raise $1,500. All funds that had been raised in total leading up to the purchase were donated to the Holt Board of Education with the stipulation that the money be used, once there was enough, to purchase new uniforms for the Holt High School Band. The uniforms were received in the spring of 1972 and first worn at the Holt High School Spring Band Concert under the direction of Mr. Winters. The new Block-H uniforms are pictured at left.

Holt’s band department with Winters was gleaming from every angle, and there were no signs of slowing down. The Holt High School Band and Mr. Winters sped through the 1970s and showed off their talents just as well as ever.

A Period of Changes: The 1970s & '80s

In the 1950s and 1960s, Mr. Winters had several regular band substitutes and assistants that were around the Holt Band. Among them were Susan Gibbs, Phyllis Thomson, and Joan York. It was around 1971 that Holt Public Schools decided to hire another permanent band director to lighten Winters’ heavy load. For the first time in Holt's history, more than one person was teaching band. Mr. Phillip Taylor was hired to teach younger grades. Mr. Winters maintained the more advanced grades, but he also remained teaching the sixth grade band for many years. Mr. Taylor taught Holt's sixth through eighth grade band from 1971 through 1976. It was around 1976 that Mr. Michael McMurtrey was hired to teach Holt’s younger musicians. Mr. McMurtrey taught seventh through ninth grade from 1976 through 1979; Mr. Winters taught sixth grade band in that period. In 1979, Mrs. Virginia Heller was hired as a second teacher for the eighth and ninth grade bands. From 1979 through 1985, Mrs. Heller taught eighth and ninth grade band, while Mr. McMurtrey taught seventh through ninth grade bands. It was imperative that capable persons be hired to teach the younger band classes, as they were the future of the advanced and highly regarded Holt High School Band with Mr. Winters.

It was the fall of 1976 that the new Holt Junior High School opened on West Holt Road (current HHS North Campus). This transition meant that Holt’s ninth graders were removed from the high school and moved to the Junior High School. This move took a toll on the band, it meant that the marching band no longer featured the freshmen class, and was smaller after the switch.

The Holt Band department introduced a new ensemble, the Dixieland Band, a six piece band which mostly played blues music in 1977-1978.

The marching band saw a period of change in the 1979-1980 school year. The 1979-1980 band under Mr. Winters’ direction was again gleaming with passion and talent! This band was the largest the group Holt had seen up to that point with 105 members. The band was so large, they had to wear four slightly different uniforms. The drumline learned and executed a new drum cadence to which the band moved in parades. Mr. Winters said, “We had a few problems switching from one cadence to the other, but we worked it out and it sounded pretty decent. I feel the cadence benefited the band.” The marching band officially introduced the Flash Flags into the halftime show performances in 1979 (an early Flash Flag squad is pictured below). The flag routines were practiced during school, after school, plus on the Wednesday night rehearsals. The Holt High School Band’s majorettes for the 1979-1980 season attended a summer camp at Northwood Institute, at which they learned several new ideas and moves for their performance.

The 1980-1981 Holt High School Band continued along under the direction of Mr. Winters. The band rehearsal was held every morning and every Wednesday evening. Mr. McMurtrey, Holt’s youth band director, assisted Mr. Winters this year. Mr. McMurtrey designed a new routine which gave the band a new look on the football field – the band formed a donkey, a boat, a slot machine, and a frog, among other shapes. In 1981-1982, the band was introduced with two drum majors rather than one.

The 1983-1984 school year brought the cut back to a five hour school day, which meant that fewer students could participate in band and brought a small marching band, made up of just fifty-seven members.

It was around this time, and a little earlier, that Holt Junior High School Director of Bands, Mr. McMurtrey, would assist Mr. Winters during first hour high school band after he had taught his younger students in the morning. Mr. McMurtrey had been assistant marching band director for a few years, this set the standard for the Junior High School Band Director to assist during the marching band season.

In 1984-1985, the traditional Kiwanis Formal Band Concert was sponsored by the Holt Lions Club rather than the Kiwanis. The 1985-1986 brought the biggest change for the band in decades - a change in director.

The End of an Era

Mr. Gerald Winters (pictured at right), since his start in 1952, saw the band grow and decline, changes in personnel, new uniforms, and every aspect of growth possible. It was Gerald Winters that developed the Holt Band program into one of the most well-known and talented ensembles in the mid-Michigan area. Winters spent his entire career in Holt and molded a band program that is still recognized for its supreme talent. It is because of Mr. Winters’ dedication to the students of Holt High School that there is such a remarkable program district-wide.

At the end of the 1984-1985 school year, Mr. Winters retired his position as Director of Bands at Holt High School. This meant that for the 1985-1986 school year, a new director would need to be hired. After Winters' 33 years in Holt it may have seemed difficult to replace him, however his replacement had already arrived. Mr. Michael McMurtrey, Holt Junior High School's band director was named the new Director of Bands at Holt High School.

The McMurtrey Years

Mr. McMurtrey (pictured at left) is vividly remembered by his students and fellow teachers for his tremendous personality, a great sense of humor, and above all else as an impeccable musician! A new pride, style, and enthusiasm were instilled in the students with Mr. McMurtrey. The strong tradition in Holt's band was maintained under McMurtrey's direction. One immediate change was that the flag squad was improved and new brown and gold sweaters were purchased to progress their performance appearance. McMurtrey brought fresh ideas to the table and always maintained the standard of excellence in Holt. In the 1986 Rampages yearbook, Mr. McMurtrey stated, “The Marching Band showed great enthusiasm, imagination and pride. Our drum majors, majorettes, flags, and each individual band member worked for perfection in their performance. Of course, perfection is unattainable, but the process of working toward that goal is something to be admired.”

McMurtrey's bands excelled in every performance they gave! In 1987, the Holt Band performed at the Michigan State Capitol in Downtown Lansing in commemoration of the sesquicentennial of the State of Michigan. The same ensemble performed at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Michigan State University.

The Golden Uniforms

The 1988-1989 Holt High School Band purchased a new set of bright gold band uniforms with brown accents (pictured below). Half of the funds to purchase the uniforms were raised through soda-pop sales at Michigan State University football games, M&M sales, booster button sales, an American Cancer Society fundraiser, and a prize from a local trivia game. The other half of the funds were put up by the Holt Band Boosters.

The Parry Era

In 1991, Mr. Michael McMurtrey returned to his position as director of Holt Junior High School's band. Upon McMurtrey's exit from the Holt High School scene, a new director of high school bands was hired - Mr. Timothy Parry. Mr. Parry, a 1969 Holt High School graduate and professional trumpeter, returned to Holt from Portland High School where he had directed the bands since 1975. Parry's bands are recalled as some of Holt's greatest ensembles. The band travelled to Orlando, Florida during Spring Break of 1992. The Holt High School Band played at Walt Disney World and had free time at Magic Kingdom as well as Cocoa Beach. The 1993-1994 Holt Band consisted of 147 members, Holt's largest ever and the second largest in the State of Michigan just behind Traverse City. Phrases that are often still heard today that were coined by Mr. Parry are: "The Best Band in the Land" and "A Band That Plays Together Stays Together."

The Annual Light Show

One tradition that Mr. Parry began upon his arrival to Holt in 1991 was the annual light show halftime performance. The stadium lights shut off and the band was lit up with glow sticks while marching in their intricate formations on the field. The performance has grown over the years to include battery operated lights among other things. At the conclusion of the performance, Holt's Junior High School band joins the marching band for a 7th through 12th grade ensemble. The light show is still performed annually by the Holt Band!

The Grand Ledge Marching Band Exhibition

Mr. Parry annually took his Holt Band to the Grand Ledge Marching Band Exhibition. The exhibition began in 1987, however it is unknown whether McMurtrey's bands attended the exhibition. The exhibition, annually hosted by the Grand Ledge High School Marching Band, consists of 20+ marching bands from the Greater Lansing Area with a performance at the end of the night by the Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band. The Holt Band still attends the annual exhibition annually.

The Brown & White Uniforms

The 1994-1995 season brought a change to the Holt Band program – new uniforms. The band’s new look was supplied by the Band Boosters. The uniforms arrived late in the season so the band marched in jeans and band t-shirts for the earlier games in the season. The new uniforms grew to be a necessity because of the increased size of the band. While the larger numbers were generally a good thing for the band, it was also a challenge because the band would no longer fit in the band room. These uniforms are still worn by the Holt Band during the marching band season.

Holt Band Visits D.C. & Orlando

The Holt Band took two trips in 1995, one to Washington D.C. and the other to Orlando, Florida. The band spent one and a half weeks total in both cities, from the Wednesday before Spring Break through the end of the following week. The band stayed in Richmond, Virginia for their trip to D.C., they performed in front of the Washington Monument near the reflection pool. When the band was done performing they were free to explore the city – some students went to the aquarium, the Lincoln Memorial, and other historic sites in D.C. After the visit to Washington, the band packed up and headed off to Orlando, Florida. While in Orlando, the band marched in Universal Studios and spent the day exploring the park, enjoying the amusement park and eating at the Hard Rock Café and the Medieval Times Dinner show. The band marched down Main Street, USA at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World with four other high school bands alongside Disney characters. They spent the remainder of the trip at Disney World and at Typhoon Lagoon. On the final day of the trip, the band played at the Courtney Springs Retirement Center.

Annual Holiday Appearances

In 1993, the Holt Band went door-to-door Christmas Caroling in the Holt and Lansing area to spread Christmas cheer. Among the many stops on the caroling route was the Lansing Q106 radio station. The group was able to play on the air with their stop at the station.

In 1995, Delhi Charter Township began its annual tree lighting ceremony. A volunteer group of Holt Band students performs yearly at the celebration - the group is known as the Santa Band. It is also tradition for the Santa Band to go caroling after the tree lighting ceremony - traditional stops include Delhi Cafe, Target, Sam's Club, and WILX News 10.

The Holt Band regularly marches in the Lansing Silver Bells in the City Parade. Silver Bells began in 1984 and the Holt Band has participated annually since the 1990s, at least. Each year a local high school band is named the best lit. For many years the Holt Band was the best lit band every year that it was eligible. The Holt Band marches with Santa hats, glow sticks and battery operated lights. Additionally, instead of the normal "Holt Rams Band" banner at the head of the band, there is a special light-up banner.

The Emerson Years

After 14 years as director of the Holt Band, Mr. Timothy Parry retired at the end of 2004-2005 school year. His replacement, Mr. Michael Emerson, began in the fall of 2005.

Holt High School, Directors of Bands

Miss Alberta Phillips, 1929-1933

Mr. Stuart Openlander, 1936-1937

Mr. Rex Hewlett, ca. 1937-1947

Mr. Arland Doolittle, 1947-1949

Mr. Don Tatroe, 1949-1952

Mr. Gerald Winters, 1952-1985

Mr. Michael McMurtrey, 1985-1991

Mr. Timothy Parry, 1991-2005

Mr. Michael Emerson, 2005-

Holt School Spirit Songs

Holt Fight Song

By Mr. Rex Hewlett & Robert P. Baisel, ca. 1938

Fight, Fight, Fight For Dear Old Holt

Fight For Victory

Fight, Fight, Fight For Brown & Gold

Win Varsity!

Come On & Keep Those Banners Flying

Ramblers Don't Yield

See That Line Weakening

Smash Onward Down The Field

Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah

Come On & Fight, Fight, Fight For

Dear Old Holt,

Fight For Victory.

Fight, Fight, Fight For Brown & Gold

Win Varsity!

Come On & Keep Those Banners Flying,

Ramblers Don't Yield.

See That Line Weakening,

Smash Onward Down The Field.

Holt Alma Mater

Lyrics By Harry Dygart, ca. 1941

Hail The Name Of Holt High School

The Fairest Of The Fair

In Our Hearts For Years To Come

Our Memories Will Be There

School Of Schools!

Jewel Of Jewels!

We'll Keep Her Standards High

For In The Many Years To Come

We'll Honor The Days Gone By

If you have any information regarding the history of Holt's bands, please let us know!