OWINGS MILLS, Md. — It’s the largest band in the National Football League and it has a lot of local ties.
The Marching Ravens have over a dozen of the band’s members travel from Central Pa. to Baltimore to practice and perform each week.
On Wednesday nights, the Marching Ravens gather at the Ravens indoor practice facility in Owings Mills, Maryland, to the Under Armor Performance Center.
“Any band you’re in, any musician will tell you, It’s about the people you are with. Playing all the fun music, that’s what I love about marching band," said Mike Kirk of Spring Garden Township, York County.
That isn’t the only reason. Kirk gets to play in the Marching Ravens alongside his dad, Bill.
They saw an ad for tryouts and in April, the father-son duo did just so and made the band. Now, they’re halfway through their first NFL season.
“I just think it’s so special, being a part of an organization, with my dad," Mike said. "Sharing that experience and being able to continue marching, as I did in high school and at college and the NFL. I think that an incredible opportunity.”
“To know that he’s there, enjoying the same thing and experiencing the same thing I am is incredibly special. It’s something as you get older, which I am, becoming to appreciate the time even more, to time that you can spend with your family. Especially, in an environment like this," said Bill Kirk.
Mike plays the mellophone as Bill plays the trumpet. Although they're on opposite sides of the field, it's the bond they get to share being a part of something together.
The Kirks have played on a local level for years, playing with the Emigsville Band, The Unforgettable Big Band and now the Marching Ravens.
But, the Central Pa. connections do not stop there. Dan Fake has been with the Marching Ravens for 20 years. He has been the band director for the last eight.
“[I] think it’s a pretty unique opportunity. One of the things I like the most about it is we are all coming from different backgrounds," he explained. "We have folks that make a living playing music. We have people that have auditioned or played in a military band. We have folks that have been like hey, I work down the street and I play an instrument and just want to be part of a band. We have folks that just an outlet to be musical, and we have folks that are diehard Ravens fans," said Fake.
When Fake isn't with the Ravens, he’s teaching students at Spring Grove Middle School. He used a recent trip to London with the Ravens as a teachable moment for his students.
“I really don’t talk about it to my students a whole lot but I did leading into the London trip because it was something where I was going to be gone. I didn’t start playing a saxophone in the 4th grade thinking I was going to ride around London, on the top of a bus, playing a saxophone. The opportunity just came about so I sought it and my goal for those kiddos, is they can get there as well," said Fake.
There is a long-standing history with the Marching Ravens, previously the Colts Marching Band. They have been in Baltimore since 1947. That’s longer than any professional team has called the "Charm City" home.
The band has played for four different NFL teams the Colts, Dallas Texans, Cleveland Browns and the Ravens.
Although, there were two stints of not having a team at all, the band never missed a beat.
“When we lost the Colts, it was chaos. Nobody knew what to do and everyone was panicking. The band was the rallying point, telling the people, the fans and citizens of Baltimore, Maryland, we’re staying together. Rally around us," said John Ziemann, the only original Baltimore Colt member who's still a part of the Marching Ravens.
There are just two teams in the NFL that have bands. The Marching Ravens are the largest with 130 members.
As for the Kirks, they hope to continue this tradition as long as they can.
“Music to our family is something we love and enjoy doing together and you talk about things you always want to do. It’s something we’ll remember forever and appreciative to the Marching Ravens for giving us this opportunity," said Bill Kirk.
The Marching Ravens have tryouts every spring. If you would like to try out, contact the Marching Ravens at marchingravens@ravens.nfl.net or call 410-701-4229.