Uncover - Randy Storie

“Uncover”: A Tradition of Respect in the Band Hall

In a world where traditions often fade with time, the small gestures—the quiet acts of reverence—stand out even more. At Midland Lee (Legacy) High School, one such gesture carried great meaning under the leadership of legendary band director Randy Storie: the uncover policy.

To anyone unfamiliar with band culture, the idea may seem simple—take off your hat when you walk into the band hall. But to those who passed through that space, it was anything but ordinary. It was a ritual, a sign of respect, a moment of reflection. And Randy Storie made sure it stayed that way.

Much like the uncover policy in the Pentagon, where removing one’s hat indoors honors the gravity and history of the building, the band hall at Midland Lee (Legacy) High School was treated as sacred ground. Not because it had marble floors or golden ceilings—but because it echoed with decades of music, discipline, tradition, and pride. Every wall, every stand, every corner had been shaped by the countless students who came before. And Mr. Storie wanted his students to remember that.

“Uncover,” he would say—not just as a correction, but as a reminder. This was more than a rule. It was about honoring the legacy of those who had played before you, who had bled for the program, who had held their instruments and marched on that same field with the same dream of excellence. It was about being part of something bigger than yourself.

The act of removing your hat takes less than a second, but its meaning lingers. It’s a gesture of humility. A moment of presence. A signal that this room—and what happens inside it—matters. Mr. Storie knew that music wasn’t just about notes and technique. It was about character. And respect. And community.

Today, former students still talk about that policy. Not because they were told to do it, but because it became part of who they are. They carried it with them—into college band halls, into careers, into life. A reminder that respect is not outdated. That tradition is not weakness. That taking off your hat might be one of the strongest things you can do.

Thank you, Mr. Storie—for the music, yes. But more importantly, for the values.