JACKSON — Members of the Jackson Memorial High School Marching Band have emphatically maintained throughout the 2003 season that entertaining their audiences and the sincere joy they get out of performing is what’s most important to them. This was never more evident than on a recent weekend when they gave their last two competitive performances.
The band members played in Hershey Park Stadium in Hershey, Pa., where they competed in the Cavalcade of Bands Competition. The following night the band members went north to Wayne Hills High School in Wayne, where they competed in the Eastern Marching Band Association (EMBA) championship.
The band was proud to take third place in the Cavalcade of Bands Compe-tition as well as the High Music Award.
It was the next day at the EMBA Championships that the Jaguar band really had a chance to shine. Not only did the band take first place, Best Percussion, Best Color Guard, Best Music and Best Overall, but they also received the highest score in Jackson high school’s history with a 98.4 when they won the EMBA championship for the third year in a row.
"I just thought the kids performed tremendously over the weekend. It was a great end to a fantastic season," said Assistant Band Director Bryan Jenner. "And, as always, I am very proud of their accomplishments. This has been such a great bunch of students to work with."
Before the evening’s wins came yet another highlight when, during their show, members of the band made their way into the audience to perform.
Every performance of the band’s "Jackson’s Favorite Things" show involves some of the band members coming to the front of the field for lively saxophone performances. But this time many of the band members left the field and made their way to the front of and into the bleachers without missing a beat. The audience had a great time clapping along with the music.
"The EMBA Championship competition was amazing," said senior and color guard member Kate DiSpigna. "I can honestly say that I had a lot of fun. I was amazed by the cheers and support we were getting from the crowd considering how cold it was. Even the other bands supported us by clapping and sending out air grams. I could not think of a better performance to end my senior year."
"This season … has been a wonderful journey, full of making new friends and putting on energy-filled performances," said Jessee Maline, senior color guard captain. "I am so proud of all of us and what we have accomplished with all of the hard work and dedication we put in."
"The performance … was amazing," added junior Carolyn Piassek, a member of the color guard. "Just looking out into the stands after you’re done with your show and seeing everyone standing on their feet clapping for you is such a rush!"