SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Clarissa Reidt

Clarissa (left) is a senior who has been involved in summer band, concert band and pep band.

Her favorite memory about JC band is “EVERY. BAND. CAMP. EVER.”

Her favorite show was Sideshow.

Her advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “When you decide to participate in any of the different band programs it is no longer all about you, you have to show up and work hard together to get good results.”

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Gavin Billington

Gavin is a senior who has been involved in summer band, concert band, pep band, winter percussion, jazz band and solo and ensemble.

His favorite memory about JC band is “Senior year at the state fair night show. Walking off that track is one of the greatest memories [he] has.”

His favorite music selection was “[The] drum feature in 4OUR. This was the hardest music for [him] to learn when [he] was starting marching band. This was also the most satisfying when [he] got it, so it means the most to [him].”

His advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “Everyone has heard that this goes by fast, well I experienced a different kind of fast. I had my senior Winter Drumline cut short. I am not going to tell you this goes by fast, I am going to tell you to just cherish every moment, every step, every note, every cringy Smeltzer speech, every whistle blow, and every speck of dust on your marching shoes. This is different than anything else you will ever experience. You don't know how this will end for you, for me it ended short. I did not let that short season affect me. I don't want any of you to let it affect you either. All you can do is remember.”

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Ryleigh Hampson

Ryleigh is a senior who has been involved in summer band, concert band, pep band and winter percussion.

Her favorite thing about being a part of JC band is “All of the people [she] has met through band. [They] are the best people in [her] life.”

Her favorite show is Sideshow.

Her advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “band is truly one of the greatest experiences you can have, don’t take it for granted.”

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Taylor May

Taylor is a senior who has been involved in summer band, concert band and pep band.

One of her favorite memories about her time with the JC band was “getting first place at the Jay County Contest”

Her favorite show was Starry Night.

Her advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “Always be yourself, never give up, cherish every moment.”

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Abigail Fisher

Abigail is a senior who has been involved in summer band, pep band, and concert band.

Her favorite memories about JC band are from “Summer Band especially band camp.”

Her favorite show was Through the Clouds.

Her advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “Cherish your time in High School because it goes by really quickly.”

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Joseph Littler

Joseph Littler is a senior who has been involved in summer band, pep band, concert band, jazz band, winter percussion and solo and ensemble.

One of his favorite memories about his time with JC band was “[his] first year marching at State Fair with Jay County. The energy of that performance during the night show is something [he] will not ever forget.”

His favorite show was either Sideshow or Through the Clouds.

His advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “Stay strong through all of this. All of these hard times, our band is much more than a group, we are a family. I will miss everyone I've spent these many years with. My advice for the band is to never ever take advantage of these moments you've been given through the band program. You never know when they will be taken from you. Enjoy every second of your time with this program, because nothing compares to it.”

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Sydnie Zorn

Sydnie is a senior who has been involved in summer band, pep band, concert band and jazz band.

One of her favorite memories about her time with JC band was “when the trombone section took the last five minutes of class one day and made the “superbone” with 4-5 different trombones.”

Her favorite show was Sideshow.

Her advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “Push yourself because once you think that you have hit your limit, there is always room for you to grow more.”

JC Color Guard 2020 Promo

SENIOR CENTERPIECE: Madison Murphy

Madison is a senior who has been involved in summer band, concert band and pep band.

One of her favorite things about her time with the JC band was “making a bunch of great memories and gaining another family along the way!”

Her favorite show was 4OUR.

Her advice to other members of the Patriot Band is “Keep the passion alive, you’ll miss it one day.”

Summer 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 summer CITSA marching season.  Due to COVID 19, we felt the risks still far outweighed the rewards at this point.  State Fair Band is a separate entity and at this point has not canceled their event.  If for some reason, State Fair Band Day still happens and the band is given permission by our school corporation to participate, we would like to still participate in the non-competitive class that they will be offering.

This event truly has turned our world upside down and there are many heavy hearts today because of this announcement.  My heart goes out to the seniors.  Both 2020 seniors as well as 2021 seniors.  No one ever envisioned outcomes like this.  Please know that we love you and someday hope to once again are able to wrap our arms around you.

If restrictions start to be lifted in the near future and we are granted permission, my plan is for our band program to provide a “Re-Unification” concert this summer to celebrate our Jay County community.  If there is time to prepare for the July 4th parade, we will participate in that as well.  Lastly, we would participate in some non-competitive fashion at the Indiana State Fair Band Day, if it is still hosted in August.  This is all contingent on permission to return, enough time to prepare, and enough students to make it happen.

In the meantime, keep your chins up.  Parents, do me a favor and hug your kids for me.  They are amazing young individuals who are our future.  Love them all.

Mr. Smeltzer