Editor’s Note: Cameron Hurst is a Jamestown High School senior and contributing writing for The Post-Journal. The following column was written by Hurst for his blog, entitled “The Rowdy Raider,” which can be found at www.therowdyraider.wordpress.com.

SYRACUSE – What’s the best way to follow up one of the greatest marching band seasons in recent memory for the Jamestown High School marching band?

Doing it all over again.

The marching band departed for Syracuse on Saturday morning to defend its title at the New York State Field Band Conference Championships at the Carrier Dome.

And they did.

Following up on a 2014 season where the band improved consistently with each week, culminating with its first state title since 2002, the 2015 edition of the marching band placed first at the NYSFBC Championships with a 90.4, nearly one point better than their performance of last year. This is the first time the band has ever won the state title back-to-back, and now brings the program’s total to four. Director Meghan Murray also becomes the only marching band director in the history of the program with two state titles.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the program who consistently make things not only work, but uphold the program to that of excellence year after year.

The work of the Red Raider Marching Band is not possible without the outpouring love, dedication and commitment each student has to their instrument, their marching shoes and their love of performing.

For those who do not know, just as the football team does, the band goes through an intensive training and camp just before school begins in September to prepare for the show that they perform for nearly two months.

From the hottest weeks of the summer to the coldest days of the fall, they’re out there putting their best foot forward to prepare for their chance in the Dome.

Without the work of Murray; Marc Lentsch, associate director and director of bands at Persell Middle School; Norman Lydell, JHS A Cappella Choir director and music director for the band; Gary Kindberg, marching instructor and marching band alum; Gina Wakefield, music instructor; and numerous other important instructors, the band truly is not possible.

And let’s not forget those who give all of their extra time to make sure the band is a success, such as the entire Pit Crew, the Stevensons, the Paternitis, the Johnstons, and so many more.

Congratulations to the drum majors, senior Sydney Deppas and sophomore Andrew Roof, for leading the band through truly historic season. Your leadership among your peers is something that is not only important, but incredibly impressive. Fun fact: Sydney becomes the only drum major with two state titles in the history of the band.

To my fellow seniors, I know how hard you all have worked for this and I’m so proud to be able to share a graduating class with you all.

It was incredibly encouraging to see the band continually improve week to week and insert different props as the season progressed. There is no doubt, that as JHS students, we respect just how incredible you are and how fortunate we are to have the marching band. Not only have the band members been key to us, but they truly are the exemplification of “Raider Pride.”

On Friday, I walked into my homeroom, noticing that my homeroom teacher, Donnelle Conti, a marching band alum and supporter, was wearing one of the shirts from this year’s show. She was one of many teachers wearing the “show shirts” that day as the band kids gifted each of their favorite teachers a shirt to wear the Friday of “Dome Weekend.”

And if that’s not Raider Pride in a nutshell, I don’t know what is.

I think it’s safe to say, based on their show title, that the marching band has not only left a “Lasting Impression” on the JHS students, faculty, and staff, but also on the Jamestown community itself.

The Governor’s Cup is staying in Jamestown!

Here’s to the best marching band in New York State two years in a row.

Congratulations Red Raider marching band!

Eyes With … Raider Pride.