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Tune Of Success

Eighth Graders Experience Winning State Championships With Marching Band

Jefferson Middle School eighth graders, Jordan Braymiller, Matthew Ramirez, Caleb Micciche, Liam Conroe and Evan Corey played with the championship JHS Marching Band this season. Submitted photo

Jefferson Middle School eighth graders, Jordan Braymiller, trumpet, Liam Conroe, tenor saxophone, Evan Corey, front ensemble percussion, Caleb Micciche, baritone saxophone, and Matthew Ramirez, tuba, had the thrill of a lifetime as members of the Jamestown High School Red Raider Marching Band who won the New York State Field Band Championships this year in Syracuse.

“When I walked into the Carrier Dome field to perform I thought it was just another performance but it wasn’t!” said Evan. “But being in the marching band makes you more confident, which helps you do better in classes.”

The five eighth graders are such exceptional musicians that they were chosen to join the high school marching band. The students quickly realized that being a member of the high school marching band was hard work.

“We get asked if marching band is a sport all the time,” said Liam. “You really have to be physically and mentally prepared to perform a show. Unless you’ve played an instrument with music you have memorized, while marching in formation with a group, it is very hard to understand how difficult it is.”

But the students also realized how great the rewards are too including the five boys becoming better friends.

“You make tons of friends and it will really help us once we go to the high school next year as we will already know people and how to get around the school,” said Matthew.

Jefferson Middle School is proud of these students too.

“Everyone was proud and mentioned it when we came back home,” said Caleb. “And they gave us a doughnut party.”

“We are very proud of these boys here at Jefferson,” said Jefferson Middle School Principal Chad Bongiovanni. “This experience and accomplishment is something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. In my opinion, this is what sports, clubs, music, and other activities are all about…these opportunities build character and open doors for students that might not be accessible, otherwise. Although I’m very proud of the individual accomplishments of these boys, I am also proud to be a part of a school district that believes in meaningful opportunities that set our students up for success in the future.”

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