Julian started his freshman year at Jenison High School this year. He has played trumpet in their highly awarded band programs since 6th grade. He was going to go home to live with his mother, when he changed his mind and begged to stay and participate in their marching band.
Jenison Marching Band is widely recognized and has won many awards over the years. This year has been amazing though. They have not won first place in their flight since 2004, always being topped by Reeth's Puffer, who is also a very good, very polished band. Well, 2011 has brought us their Tempest's Fury show. The colorguard is a supernatural force that stirs up various weather including different storms and the eye of the storm. The music is the best I've heard them play. It's very stirring packs a lot of well, fury.
Soooo, they did win 1st place in flight II at the MCBA state championship @ Ford Field in Detroit on November 5th. The also won caption awards for Best General Effect and Best Marching. There were 44 bands that qualified to compete that day. Jenison's score was the highest of them all, making them the grand champions. This past weekend they went to compete in the BOA Grand Nationals, where they made it into the semi-finals. Back in October, they competed at the Pontiac Silverdome BOA regional and placed fourth of 12 bands who made it to the finals.
The band has 153 members including 34 colorguards. After the state finals the band, carried on four Cardinal buses, was given a police escort, a huge reception in the school parking lot, a big pep rally in the gym and a bonfire where we all could celebrate.
Winning was sweet, not just because a state win was so long in coming, but because the kids worked so hard for six and half months and because the show is so exceptional. When a show gives you goosebumps and you remember the music and visual effects, you know it's a good show.
Here is Jenison Marching Band practicing at Grand Valley University the night before the state championship. Julian is the trumpeter who lands just to the left of the big drum on right at the end of the show. He is wearing kaki shorts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIEA0CwpdO8&feature=related
Julian with drum major Angie Schmitt and the first place trophy.
Are these kids excited or what? This is after the pep rally in the JHS gym.
Julian, Mr. Zamborsky and Mr. York, his instructors.