Paige Collins’ eyes light up when she talks about her days in the Bellevue High School band. The nights spent under the lights at Wolverines’ football games or in a sweltering gym for Bellevue basketball provide some of the fondest memories she can recall.

“I loved being in the band,” Collins said. “I’m proud to say I was a band nerd.”

So when an opportunity arose to be part of an alumni band at Bellevue, Collins jumped at the opportunity. The plan was inspired by current band director Edd George, who wanted to offer former band members one more chance to come together before the school remodel is finished and the old band room is converted, giving way to a new band room with a new legacy and generations of memories.

George was part of a similar project at Bellingham High School and was astounded when 300-plus former members and even a former director came back to take part in the parade at the city’s annual Ski-to-Sea festival.

“The main reason we’re doing this is there are so any people out there that cherished their high school band experience,” George said. “It was so inspiring to see that many people [in Bellingham] who cherished those memories and had such high school spirit.”

The success of that effort gave George, who is in his second year as band director for the Wolverines, the idea to bring a similar celebration to Bellevue.

The alumni band will perform in the homecoming parade on Oct. 28 and again with the current band at the homecoming football game the following night, which will give Collins the chance to play with her son Curtis, who will serve in his mom’s former capacity as drum major for the 2011 band.

“I’ve had to hold back my excitement,” Paige said, adding that her son’s duties as drum major are significantly more challenging than those she was charged with during her time in the role. “It’s a whole new level. When I did it, there was very little training.”

So far there are 70 confirmed alumni who plan to join in the festivities and the facebook page dedicated to the project has over 150 members and climbing. Former directors Vince Caruso, Al Jones and Bill Wicker will also be present to bridge the generational gap and will represent over 50 years of Bellevue band history. Professional musicians Jim Black and Mark Whitfield along with University of Washington Jazz Band director Cuong Vu are also hopeful to be in attendance.

But George and Collins are adamant that even the most out of practice alumni are welcome.

“We’ve got people who haven’t picked up their instrument in years,” George said. “That’s one of the great things about music.”

For more information on the Bellevue High School alumni band, contact Edd George at 425-456-7136 or by email at georgee@bsd405.org

Marching band: 9/11 1:30-3, 10/1 1:30-3, 10/27 6-7:30

Jazz band: 9/26 7-8:30, 10/10 7-8:30, 10/24 7-8:30