Madeline DeJoy: The Jamestown High School Marching Band has facilitated more than a meaningful high school experience; the marching band has given me a sense of identity, memories to last a lifetime, and even a future career path. Submitted photo

Five years ago, I wrote an article entitled “Accepted,” where I shared my feelings of joining the Jamestown High School Marching Band as an eighth grader.

Five years later, as a senior, squad leader, and soloist, I’d like to share my reflections about this revered organization.

First, I must acknowledge the incredible staff that has brought this organization to greatness. As the proverb notes, “it takes a village.” It “takes a village” to create such an inclusive, fun environment, an environment that would not be possible without our director, Mrs. Meghan Murray. Mrs. Murray is everything a band member would want in a director — talented, kind, funny, firm-and always there to help and support us in both band life and everyday life. The same can be said for all of our directors including Marc Lentsch, Gary Kindberg, Kathy Brunco, Rachel Selice, Rob Meger, Ron Miller, Bob Mongillo, Emma Sage, Kaitlyn Marsh, Chelsea Edsall, Emily Whitney, Breanna Kuhaneck, and Carrie Pawalski.

I saved mentioning for last the director who has influenced me the most, Mrs. Gina Wakefield. For the past eight years, Mrs. Wakefield has helped me become the French horn and mellophone player and person who I am today. Without her, and the other staff members, I wouldn’t have developed the dedication, the sense of responsibility, the self-confidence, and the work ethic that I need in the music world and in everyday life.

Another group of people that has affected my everyday life is student leadership. The student leadership group consists of students in the band who mentor the incoming members and help the staff as needed. I have been the Mellophone Squad Leader for two years and the High Brass squad leader for one year. I would not trade those positions for anything in the world. My fellow members of leadership, Juliana Yanik, Owen Slojkowski, Meghan Mistretta, Greta Nordwall, Liam Conroe, McKenna Schneider, Matthew Ramirez, Evan Corey, Annie Conroe, Elsa Lumia, Alex Genco, Mikeal Halpainy-Livermore, Kenzie Carpenter, and Jordyn Christensen are easily some of the best people I know — talented, supportive, and genuine. Because of this organization, I have found my forever friends, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I would like to give a special shout out to the high brass section and my fellow mellophone players. These musicians have been my family this year, and I wouldn’t trade my time with them for anything.

The Jamestown High School Marching Band has facilitated more than a meaningful high school experience; the marching band has given me a sense of identity, memories to last a lifetime, and even a future career path. These five years have made me realize that my future aspirations are grounded in music- music education and performance. I will continue to sing and perform my French horn, piano, violin, and pipe organ at every opportunity. And one day, I will be a music teacher who will influence other students, just as my teachers have done for me.

I have studied music since I was four years old, and I have learned from the best — Bill Knight, Dr. Marc Guy, Ron McEntire, Andrew Schmidt, Gail Grundstrom, Catherine-Regis Green, Katherine Derrenbacher, Norm Lydell, Marc Alpaugh, Andrew Coccagnia, Lauren Scharf, and Marge Switala — see what I mean? These talented individuals, and others, remain part of my village. From a broader perspective, I thank my literal village: the City of Jamestown.

The Jamestown Marching Band is a beloved part of our community, and we all work together to create Raider Pride. I thank everyone who supports the JHS Red Raider Marching Band, individuals who donate time and resources, businesses that purchase advertisements, supporters who buy tickets or support our fundraisers. I thank the Community Foundation for providing music scholarships to me and other musicians. With so much community support, this incredible program continues to thrive and will continue to do so with new band members and new band leaders. My tenure as a member of the JHS Marching Band is nearly done here, and I will miss it so much.

To anyone thinking about joining the marching band: do it! As I said five years ago, “Yes, it is demanding, and yes, it is exhausting, and yes, it is time consuming.” But, have I loved every minute of it? Heck, yeah, I have!