I was a member of the band program as a flute player at FHS from 1972 - 1974. I also played in the orchestra under Dave and Ralph Shell.It would be difficult to describe the impact these 2 world class educators have had on my life.I continue to play and perform as an amateur flutist today and my own 3 sons have benefited from my experience in the Findlay music program,as 2 are in music school and the youngest is currently an aspiring HS musician.

Cliff Hite was by far the most significant influence in my high school years. A top-quality human being as well as a top-rate musician and instructor, he formed many of my life-long values. I am always grateful for him, and am delighted at this recognition that he and his work are being given.

Wow! Great work Dave! Congrats!!!
Mr. Hanson started teaching in Findlay the year I entered Jr. High at Glenwood. He has remained a great mentor and friend over the years. If Cliff was my second "Dad" in music, Dave was my "big brother." Thanks for your continued impact on our lives.

I was in the 7th grade at Donnell when
Cliff Hite came to town in 1943. He used jr. high students in the band at first as he built up the system, so I started in the H. S. band in the 8th grade, marching & concert. From the start band was my favorite subject and Cliff my favorite teacher. He knew how to relate to young people & get the best out of them. I graduated in 1949 - while he got the band up to a high point, his best years were yet to come. I later entered the ministry, but kept on playing, even to this day, in community bands. I kept in touch with Cliff and saw him when in town for class reunions. In August 2004 I phoned him from a hotel, 3 weeks before he died. He certainly was a fine director & teacher and had tremendous influence on his students. I am so glad his music is available on these CDs. My era in the band is now thinning out, but the wonderful memories live on.

I enjoyed 4 years of FHS band in the 1960's and have great memories of marching band as well as concert band. I remember well our trip to the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago and still have the record that was made from our concert there. My daughters were fortunate to have an outstanding band director during their high school years in Minnesota, Doc Benson. He had many of the same qualities of a great band teacher/conductor as Cliff Hite. Thanks WFIN for this recognition of a band legend.

I was in Dr. Hite's band during my high school years of 1946-1948. My maiden name was Rosemary Roether. I remember Mr. Hite as being a strict teacher but also made it enjoyable to be in the band. We won state in 1948. I was also in the clainet quartet and woodwind quintet in which we also won 1st place in state competition. Rosemary Kaiser

I truly don't believe a single day passes that I don't think of Mr. Hite (or quote him.) Without question, he was the single greatest influence in my life outside of family.

All photos on this site except the collage are of the '61-'62 concert band and orchestra. You can't imagine how it felt to see a 45-year younger version of myself when I clicked onto them.

This tribute/scholarship is long overdue!!

I have waited for something like this for SO long!! I was hoping Mr. Hite had videoed the marching band's half-times. We were so good, weren't we?

I was a majorette 58/59 and think of those days often.

I went shopping for two small curtain rods this week (Aug.18, 2008, week of Fay tropical storm in Ft. Lauderdale) and came out of the store twirling one of the rods!!

The 59ers have their 50th reunion in September'09 and LOrd willing I will see many of you there again.

It was a joy listening to some of the music. And what a tribute to a wonderful teacher.

Ruth Smygelski Calvin

Band member from 1973 until 1975 in the clarinet section with Cliff. He always challanged us to do our best and pushed us even though at times we never realized it. Lessons in life that have stuck with me long after high school.

I played baritone in the FHS marching band and concert band from 1969-1972. The experiences and friendships gained from being in band were absolutely the best.

Thank you so much for airing the tribute to Mr. Hite, and thanks also to Barbara Hart Pagano for brining it to our attention.
Reading the story and listening to the band sure brings back many memories. As a member of the band from 1954 to 1958 I remember our trip to the Cherry Blossom Parade, the football games and all the chills I had everytime we preformed. Mr Hite was truly a wonderful teacher and mentor to all of us who were fortunate enough to know him.
Thanks again

Graduating in 1976 and Mr. Hite's last year, we felt we were the best around as a concert band. Even today, I listen to my tape (yeah, I said tape)and say, "Hard to believe it was a high school band." Mr. Hite was all class...tough and demanding...but a class act. Without a doubt, it is one of my fondest memories.

Cliff Hite had a tremendous influence on who I am today. After graduation from FHS in 1966, I became a band director as well as orchestral musician. His standard of excellence helped develop a work ethic in all of us that has followed us well into our adult lives. I am so glad to see that these recordings have been preserved so that this tremenous legacy will be remembered. How about the alumn assn. making the set of CDs available for sale with procedes going to the Cliff Hite Memorial Fund??

Mr. Hite was one of the finest teachers of any subject matter that I have ever had. He was to a great extent the reason that I majored in instrumental music at Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina.

Although I spent thirty three of thirty eight years in public school administration as high school principal, the life lessons that I learned from Mr. Hite caused me to support music education throughout my career.

Mr. Hite will be missed.

I'm sure I stayed out of trouble in high school because of Mr. Hite. I didn't want to have to explain to him why I missed band practice. He will always live on in my heart.

I was in band 1970-1972 and played tuba when I had trouble with a piece Hr Hite or MR Shell would always find time to give me help that I needed It would be so nice to get back together with old friends some time

I was in both marching band and concert band during the years 1971 thru 1973. I was a drummer and Mr. Hite demanded only the best. And we delivered! We played some very powerful music during those concert band years. Hearing the mp3 audio as I write brings back great memories! Thank you WFIN for this opportunity.

I played trumpet in the band in 1970 & 1971 and at that time was a little frightened of Mr. Hite but always gave 100 percent because he expected it. Like many have said, at the time I didn't think we were that exceptional, but looking back now, it was truly remarkable what we accomplished! Thank you to all who have put together this wonderful tribute to a great man.

I was honored to be a member of the Findlay High School band from 1971-73. I was in awe of Mr. Hite. He demanded and got the very best out of us. He made us feel that we were the very best high school band anywhere, and as a result, I truly believe to this day that we were. I am even more honored and blessed to have been able to call him "Dad", as he became my father-in-law in 1979. He was a wonderful man and I miss him greatly.

I have many fond memories of Cliff Hite and the Findlay High Band. In retirement (and after 44 years of not playing), I am again playing euphonium. I play in two concert bands, a brass choir, a low brass quartet, and the University of Iowa Tuba/Euphonium group. (This is in addition to playing string bass in 5 groups and singing in 3 groups!) Music is forever! How do I contribute to the Memorial Fund? Jon-Cryer@uiowa.edu

Member of the 1955-1957 bands. Played Baritone and Trombone. It was great to hear the band again! Cliff Hite was one great teacher, an inspiring person to me ! I learned much from this great person. Cliff and Ralph Shell were two of the most influential teachers in my high school years. Thank you to Barb Pagano for putting this tribute together.

I played bassoon and clarinet in the '59-62 band and it is wonderful to hear the music again, especially with such a great reproduction. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the series. Mr. Hite was a great teacher. We all learned a lot from him, and much carried over to our lives after high school. I am very pleased to see that he has been honored in this way.

A big thank you and note of appreciation to WFIN radio and especially to Barb Pagano for their hard work and dedication to this series of "Cliff Hite: His Music, His Legacy." It certainly brings back some wonderful and fond memories!

Cliff Hite was one of the most influential persons in my musical development. He was my father's High School Band Director. He not only demanded excellence but also brought people to work in Findlay that had those same expectations of us as students. He was the music supervisor in the Findlay City Schools and responsible for the development of a fine, well-rounded program of Fine and Performing Arts in the Findlay Schools. He saw to the development of a Band at Findlay High School that could be recognized as one of the best in the country. He continued to remain interested in my development as a teacher and musician and was very willing to chat with me about how things were going and what to do well after his retirement from teaching.
Thus far in my own teaching career, I have seen at least 15 to 20 students go on to teach music in different capacities. One is now an Assistant Band Director at Notre Dame. I am very grateful for Cliff's influence and instruction. I miss him.

Although I was not in the band/orchestra, my brother,Paul, and sister, Carol, were. (I was in the choir w/Doc Jones) But I certainly remember the wonderful concerts and the great marching band at the football games. Especially Barbara (Hart) and Bill Humphrey with the bass drums! We lived on Tecumseh Dr and many times could hear the band practicing near the stadium.
Elaine (eefleming@ca.rr.com)

Nice work Mom!
You're right, those do sound like recent recordings.

Congratulations on bringing Mr. Hite's music
to a whole new audience.

While a student at BGSU, I completed my student teaching assignment at FHS in the fall of 1967, and Cliff hired me in August of 1968 to teach strings and orchestra in the Findlay City Schools. I have always been grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful 35 year career in Findlay. His bands were always absolutely amazing and of a level well above that of a typical high school band. He definitely was a unique individual who had the ability to motivate and inspire young people to achieve way beyond their own expectations. He will always remain a legend in the world of high school band directors.

We were not members of the Findlay band but we thoroughly enjoyed the first program. We have to keep reminding ourselves that it is a High School concert band. We thank Barbara Hart Pagano for her dedication to Mr. Hite, his music and his hard-working musicians.