EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Football teams around the Tri-State are already preparing for this week's games, and Reitz is coming off a win against North.
But at the last game, it wasn't just the football team that had fans cheering. Some former members of the marching band returning after decades to enjoy the Friday night lights once again.
This time of year around the Tri-State, Friday night means football.
But, before that first snap, before the big play, another equally dedicated group took the field.
The Reitz High School Marching Band is 64 students strong. Last weekend, they added a few more experienced members, like Earl Pfettcher on trumpet from the class of 1957.
Friday night, at 73 years old, he and six other former band members tackled the school song once again.
"I was surprised. I hit every note," Earl said.
"I didn't play well, but I played," Carolyn Koehler, another former band member, said.
For some, the musical reunion was more than an excuse to brush off the rust, it was a chance to perform alongside their grandchildren.
"It just felt great to play with my grandpa knowing that he was there," Earl's grandson Camden said.
"She cared enough about band at the time to come back now and share that with me. That means a lot," Valerie Kendall said. Valerie's grandmother, Janis joined her in the school song.
"They love the music," Carolyn said.
When asked if they get that from her, Carolyn said, "No, I don't have much talent."
At halftime though, talent didn't matter as the group finally received a recognition 55 years overdue.
Carolyn's grandson "You finally got your 'R'," Carolyn's grandson jokes.
All those decades ago, those R's were damaged, so Earl and his fellow bandmates, never got their letters.
Which made Friday night's photo opp that much sweeter.
"We marched a lot of times for this," Carolyn said.
"After all these years, it's good to have our letter that we didn't get then," Janis Hanes, a former band member said.
A well deserved, long-awaited honor.
"I think it meant a lot to them," Will Schulze said. Schulze is Reitz's Instrumental Music Director.
"I can't express the words. It's just a tremendous feeling," Earl said.
"It was, yeah, that was once in a lifetime," Carolyn said.
A night the group will remember long after the score fades away.
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Friday night, seven former band members tackled the school song once again.
