JACKSON – The Jackson Liberty High School Lions Band added a little crimson to the green day when they marched in the annual New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“Leading the Grand Marshall in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade was an honor and a thrill,” JLHS Band Director Scott Katona told The Jackson Times.
Noting the gray skies and occasional sprinkle of rain that occurred that morning, Katona noted, “the weather may not have cooperated, but the experience these students and parents had will last a lifetime.”
“The parade couldn’t have been more fun. I was definitely tired afterward, but it was great to see all of the people watching and cheering. I hope to play in it again next year and make even more memories,” said Jonathan Wood, a junior who plays tuba.
JLHS Senior Elizabeth Huff, who serves as a section leader in the band said, “marching in New York City was amazing and leading the Grand Marshall was so surreal, it was the best way to spend Saint Patrick’s Day.”
“Marching with my band mates and friends in one of the biggest parades in the nation was a huge honor, and something that I’ll never forget,” Marching Captain Barrett Garcia, a senior at JLHS said.
The parade was televised on March 17 on NBC and kicked off at 11 a.m. Members of the JLHS appeared marching up 5th Avenue a little after 11:30 a.m. The St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of the biggest and popular parades held in the Big Apple.
“When I received the email stating we would be leading the Grand Marshall I was over the top excited which was followed by an immediate sense of pride for this program and everyone involved with it,” Katona said.
He also told The Jackson Times last week how pleased and honored he was that the JLHS Lions would be a part of this year’s parade. “Each year we look for new opportunities in performance for these students. We have performed for the opening ceremonies in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.”
The Lions have a long list of accomplishments including being “part of the opening sequence of the Miss America Pageant and we were a featured performance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade,” Katona added.
The award-winning band also opened the Pulaski Day ceremonies in New York City and the Lions can now add leading the grand marshal and the rest of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. “It’s a testament of how hard these students work, both past and present, to award us with these opportunities,” the band director added. “The performance opportunities these students get would never be possible without the support of our school district administration and Board of Education.”
Senior percussionist Lauren Janson said prior to the parade that she was “very excited to perform in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year.”
Janson noted that the Lions performed a popular song identified with the holiday during the day. “‘Irish Eyes’ is a fan favorite,” she said.
Based on crowd reactions at the parade,” the Lions certainly didn’t disappoint attendees as they performed their rendition of“Irish Eyes” and marched the parade route in their red uniforms on St. Patrick’s Day. The band’s performance can be seen online at youtube.com/watch?v=cz9a7K77i2U&feature=youtu.be
