The Huntington High School Blue Devil marching band wrapped up a series of five “Spring Saturdays” with a festive performance for parents following by a ceremony honoring the group’s graduating seniors.
Band director Brian Stellato and his staff colleagues brought the musicians and color guard members through various demonstrations for the parents, highlighted different performing groups within the band.
This year’s band’s seniors Sam Levine, Nicholas Danseglio, Gemma Pellegrini, Aaron Chin, Tess Stanley, Bryan Wong, Carrie Kilgour, Jorge Cisneros, Rebecca Hoffmann, Miles Tierney, Evan Martinez, Lauren Gooding, Drew Spina, Joe Rombaldi, Jazmynn Clark, Aileen Lopez, Emily Ramirez-Bravo, Catherine McCooey, David Canas, Emma Vaughan and Jackeline Ramirez.
This year’s Blue Devil band is led by drum majors Jorge Cisneros, Carrie Kilgour and Miles Tierney and field major Rebecca Hoffmann.
“Every Saturday we all had so much fun making good music and meeting new members,” Mr. Cisneros said. “We all supported each other and helped each other to put on a great performance in less than two months. New and current members learned techniques that will help during the coming fall season. I’m so excited to see the HBDMB family put on a great traditional show this fall. Sadly all the seniors will not be there, but I will be sure to come visit before I got to college. Last Saturday was full of emotions because all the seniors became alumni of the HBDMB family, but one thing that will stay with us are all the memories that we made in these past seasons. ‘Eyes with Pride.’”
Mr. Stellato spoke about each of the seniors who were present and what they have meant to the HBDMB. They were joined by family members and presented with a bouquet of flowers.
“The spring Saturdays were such a fantastic way to bring the marching band together this year,” Ms. Kilgour said. “The seniors were grateful to be back together for one last time. Everyone worked so hard to make these rehearsals very special for us. We are so proud of what we accomplished in our years in the marching band and can’t wait to see the band flourish. Next year’s band already has terrific members who are so passionate and talented and I am so excited to see them lead the band to its greatest potential. We seniors want to thank all of the amazing band members and staff who made joining marching band the best decision we could ever make.”
Last Saturday’s crowd wore masks and were distanced on the lawn overlooking the large parking field. The group included Superintendent James W. Polansky and Principal Brenden Cusack.
“I think the spring Saturdays went better than we could’ve ever hoped,” Ms. Hoffmann said. “It not only gave our seniors a chance to have their last few rehearsals before going off, but it also allowed new members to get a better idea of what the program has to offer. Although I am beyond upset to leave the band, I know that the program has such a bright future ahead and I thank the program for making me the person I am today after the past five years.”
Parents and band members gave this year’s Blue Devil staff a hearty round of applause during the event, expressing their thanks to the group for making effort to provide some type of meaningful experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The marching band’s spring Saturdays were a big positive specifically for the senior class,” Mr. Tierney said. “The students and staff of the HBDMB made the best out of every rehearsal and it helped to introduce new members into the family, After this spring, the drum majors are confident in passing down the band to the next group of student leaders and members and we can’t wait to see how they do next year. It was a great conclusion to an even better four years in the family.”
About 100 musicians and color guard members participated in each of the spring Saturdays. As the event wrapped up, some of the seniors and underclassmen became emotional with their devotion to the band obvious to all.
“I think the spring Saturdays were a great way to get the band back together after such a challenging year,” Ms. Gooding said. “It was so nice to see everyone for one last time and the staff and band parents worked really hard to make the last Saturday special for all of us seniors. We were able to stir up a lot of excitement for the upcoming season and we were able to meet a lot of new members who will be an amazing fit for the band. While I’m sad to be leaving, I know that all of the new and returning members are going to make this first season back really special.”
