Meet Charles Collins, Grand Marshal of the Annual Suffield Memorial Day Parade

The Suffield League has tapped Field High School Director of Bands Charles Collins as the Grand Marshal for Suffield’s 2025 Annual Memorial Day Parade.

This is the first year the Suffield League has picked a Grand Marshal who lives outside the Suffield community. Charles is retiring as Director of the Field High School’s famous Royal Guardsmen Marching Band, and has represented the Suffield community all over the country by participating in parades and competitions.

Charles has been at the Field High School for 28 years as a teacher and band director of the Royal Guardsmen Marching Band and the school’s symphonic band. He has dedicated so much time to the bands, even writing out music, planning and coordinating activities, and drawing out field maneuvers.

His musical career began at a young age. He played the trombone in the Claymont School Band in Tuscarawas County. The band competed and won various competitions. He credits his band director as his inspiration to continue in the musical/directing field.

Charles has an impressive resume covering 40 musical years.

He began his career teaching at Silver Valley Middle School on the Ft. Irwin National Training Center for the Army. He was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Brigadier General of the U.S. Army.

He continued his career at San Bernardino High School. While there, his band won numerous Grand Champion Awards and performed for then President Reagan. His band was invited to perform for the government of New Zealand and won the Marching Band City Championship against the four other high schools in the district.

After returning to Ohio he took the position as Crestwood High School Band Director. During his six year tenure, the Scarlet Guard Marching Band qualified for state each year earning Excellent and Superior Ratings.

As Director of Bands at Field, during his 28 year extensive tenure, the Royal Guardsmen have earned numerous 1st Place and Grand Champion awards.

The Royal Guardsmen have performed at Ohio State University as part of the Buckeye Classic Marching Band Field Show. It was always a thrill coming out of the tunnel onto the Horseshoe to perform and hearing the cheers yelling “Go Buckeyes.”

They were accepted, and have performed, 11 times at Walt Disney World and were rated best high school marching band out of 22 high schools.

In 2023 they marched at the Thomas Edison Festival of Light Parade in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Over his illustrious Field career, he holds fond memories he will always cherish of late-night rehearsals, the exhilarating performances and the bus rides to Florida.

He wanted to thank all volunteers for their dedication to the bands, whether organizing events, chaperoning trips or simply cheering from the audience. All volunteer efforts were invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Also in closing, he wishes Field Schools to continue to support the popular and talented Royal Guardsmen, the Symphonic and Jazz Bands.

Most people winning a competition or retiring want to visit Disney World, but since he has been there with the band so many times this is not on his bucket list. Asked what his plans are for his long-awaited retirement, he mentioned he could never take a vacation in the fall due to practice and band camps so would love to enjoy some fall travel.

Everyone can see Charles in his final performance with the Royal Guardsman Marching Band, on Monday, May 26, at the Suffield Memorial Day parade starting at 10 a.m.