Jackson band called upon
to help reopen NYC hotel
JACKSON — The chatter and laughter was inevitable. Put dozens of band students happy to showcase their talents together to play in New York City, add complimentary tickets to the premiere of the new Star Wars movie, and you are bound to get some good-natured high school revelry.
But each time the Jackson Memorial High School Jaguar band looked upon ground zero — once from the windows of the Embassy Suites hotel and once from their bus — a contemplative hush fell over the group.
"When we rode out on the bus it got very quiet," said band director Bud McCormick. "You could hear a pin drop, which never happens on our bus."
The Jaguar band played on May 16 at the grand reopening of the Embassy Suites hotel in New York City. The hotel, which overlooks ground zero, was severely damaged when the World Trade Center collapsed on Sept. 11.
Hotel executives, city officials and New York Gov. George Pataki said the reopening of the hotel was a symbol of the resilience of New York and of America.
The Jaguar band members said they were honored to be chosen as the only band to play at the ceremony.
"Just being there and seeing it all firsthand you can only imagine what it must have been like," said senior and percussionist Joe Clark, 18. "It was definitely an honor to be a part of it. It felt good."
Fellow senior Leona Pascarella, 17, who plays the mellophone, described the event as "bittersweet."
"It was exciting to go to New York and be a part of this new beginning for them," Pascarella said. "But to see the site up close like that was emotional, too. It was hard but I’m glad we got to go. It meant a lot to us."
The band was transported to the ceremony courtesy of the hotel and given free passes to see the new Star Wars:Attack of the Clones movie in the theater that is part of the Embassy Suites complex.
"Everyone was excited to play and to see the movie, of course," said Pascarella, "but once we got there and saw everything, it really hit home. It changes your whole perspective."
Jackson Memorial High School Principal Linda Jewell, Vice Principal Lynn Coddington and Assistant Band Director Brian Majoros accompanied the band on the trip. Each said they were proud of the band’s performance and accomplishments.
"We’re not from New York and we’re not even all that close to New York," said McCormick. "So to have our band be the one they call when they are looking for a quality musical group is quite something."