WESTBROOK – Westbrook High School has a long tradition of musical excellence, and this summer some alumni are looking to celebrate that long tradition with a special reunion.

On Aug. 4, for the first time ever, Westbrook High School music alumni will gather for a reunion at the high school, featuring a reception and a potluck supper, an open house in the band room and then a special concert in the auditorium featuring music alumni.

The event is the brainchild of Dave Gowen, a former trombone player who graduated from Westbrook High School in 1980. Gowen has rounded up a committee of music alumni from a variety of classes to help with the planning. He’s already received interest from former band members reaching as far back as the class of 1959.

Gowen is joined on the committee by Nancy Jameson Guertin, a member of the class of 1971; Guertin’s son Tom Guertin, class of 1996; Gowen’s wife Kathy Gordon Gowen, class of 1980; Bill Manning, class of 1981; Colleen Curran Burnham, class of 1974; Sally Young Steinhagen, class of 1982; Jackie Lampron Gagnon, class of 1983 and Mike Clancy, class of 1984; and Beth Wynn Shirk, class of 1980.

Gowen said the event is open to anyone who played in the school’s concert band, wind ensemble, marching band, jazz band, color guard or chorus – “basically anything involved with the music department.”

The Westbrook High School music program has always been a source of pride at the school. Even in the face of budget shortfalls, Westbrook consistently has had strong numbers in its music program, winning accolades and awards for its performances. The school’s 2012 yearbook notes that the marching band received a gold medal from the Maine Band Directors’ Association. The band has represented Westbrook all over the country, winning awards in national competitions.

Shirk, who also played trombone in the band, said there has been a lot of interest in the event on a Facebook page set up to promote the reunion. But since they are not requiring people to RSVP in advance, it’s hard to determine how many people will be attending.

But Gowen has high hopes.

“I don’t know how many to expect, but we’re hoping for a couple of hundred people,” he said.

The idea for the music reunion originated at the class of 1980’s 30th reunion two years ago.

“We had a great time at our reunion,” Shirk said. “But one of the things that was said over and over again at the high school reunion was, ‘Gee, we really had an awesome time in band, but many of our dear friends were before us or after us.’ And of course you wouldn’t see them at a high school reunion. And Dave really grabbed the bull by the horns.”

Gowen said that his two children recently graduated from Westbrook High and both were involved in music.

“This seemed like an opportunity because I had a really strong connection with the program,” he said. “I knew the teachers and we needed their help to do this. So all the stars aligned to do this.”

Gowen said that the goal of the reunion was a simple one. The organizers are hoping to reunite people who haven’t seen each other in a long time, and also to have people from different generations share their experiences from Westbrook High’s musical history.

“People who graduated in 2010 might get some appreciation of what was going on in 1959,” Gowen said, adding that looking at comments from alumni on the Facebook site from different years show remarkably similar experiences.

Guretin said that both she and her son Tom had talked about a reunion of Westbrook music students in the past, with both thinking it was a good idea. They were quick to lend their support to Gowen’s effort.

“We’re both pretty happy that it’s going to take place,” she said, adding that she thinks the gathering will help older graduates show more recent music alumni the legacy of strong music programs at the school.

The highlight of the night is expected to be the concert featuring alumni, though not Gowen. He is a bit out of practice, as he hasn’t played in 30 years.

Shirk said she might play, as she still picks up her trombone from time to time.

“I still play occasionally,” she said. “Just for fun. I might consider playing if the pieces are not too hard.”

There won’t be a lot of time to prepare for the concert, so alumni need to start brushing up on their skills as soon as possible. Just one rehearsal is scheduled, set for the day of the show from 1-3 p.m. in the school’s band room. Westbrook Music Director Kyle Smith will be directing the band, and the school will have instruments available for alumni to borrow.

While the reunion is focused mostly on bringing former music students together, longtime teachers are also being included in the event. George Bookataub, who retired in 2004 after running the school’s music department for 20 years, said he likes the idea of bringing former music students back to the school.

“I think it’s kind of nice,” he said. “There are a lot of kids who have gone through that program. It’s been a real strong program for a real long time.”

Bookataub oversaw the music program through one of its strongest periods, as the marching band won countless awards and performed all over the country, including being the first band from Maine to perform at the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. in 1993.

“We did so much,” Bookataub said. “I think some of my nicest memories are the opportunities that I wouldn’t have had without the support of a dedicated group of students and parents.”

Bookataub said he is going to make an effort to be at the school on Aug. 4.

“I’m going to try and make it,” he said. “I think it will be neat to see my old students.”

Westbrook High School grads Nancy Jameson Guertin, ‘71, and Dave Gowan, ‘80, sit in the now-quiet music room, surrounded by memorabilia from the rich history of the school’s band and music programs. The two are part of a committee organizing an all-years reunion of band and music alumni scheduled for Aug. 4. (Photo by Rich Obrey)