Joliet Central High School Band weekly student highlight: Devon Thomas. Devon Thomas performs as principal oboe in the Joliet Central Symphonic Band. Devon can be heard in solo sections in the band's performance of Turina's Three Fantastic Dances in their upcoming concert. Devon often uses her lunch time to practice and fine tune some difficult passages with her band mates. She's been a committed band member ever since she walked into the Central Band room, and performed on bassoon during her freshmen year. You can also hear Devon on first saxophone in the Joliet Central Big Band, marching band, and pep band. In her life outside of band, Devon keeps up with her honors class and is on the varsity bowling team, and plays softball. Band people can do it all. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral #jtcentralband #ilschoolstories

Always proud to participate in Joliet Central's Veteran's Day ceremony. Two pre-ceremony photos. #jtcentralband #204takeover #thetraditionstartswithyou

Our Joliet Central Band representation at the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra concert at Lewis University. Great job to Lupe and Tony! #thetraditionstartswithyou #jtcentralband #204takeover #ilschoolstories

Joliet Central High School Band weekly student highlight: Jakob Gudeman Jakob is a senior trumpeter in our symphonic band and Band President. He also performs on first trumpet in big band, jazz combo, marching band, and pep band. Jakob has been a great help to his peers and younger students over his high school career. He has recently taken on teaching trumpet lessons to a new band student during his advisory time. In his life outside of music, Jakob participates in all Honors and AP Classes and strength training and is a regular fixture on the honor roll and high honor roll. He is also an accomplished artist and has even sold some of his original artwork. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral#jtcentralband #ilschoolstories#204takeover

Joliet Central High School Band weekly student highlight: Emily Cryer. Emily is a junior clarinetist in our symphonic band. Emily’s family has some long roots in Joliet, as she is the third generation of her family to attend Joliet Central High School/Joliet Township! Emily has worked hard over the past three years by ensuring that her parts are prepared and ready for every rehearsal. She has especially been helpful leading sectionals and helping new members learn how to march and find their spots during field show rehearsals. Emily has always been willing to volunteer to help and has been a great advocate for our younger or newer students when it comes to band or life at Joliet Central. In her spare time, Emily is a member of the clarinet section in the Joliet American Legion Band. She is also involved in Fearless Females and Student Council, is enrolled in all honors and AP classes, holds a job, and is a Student Ambassador. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral #jtcentralband #ilschoolstories #204takeover

Joliet Central High School Band weekly student highlight: Angel Parker. Angel is a junior in our concert band, and is affectionately known as the "section mom" to her percussion section. She has done a fantastic job of balancing the music, maintenance and choreography (and personalities!) that goes with the percussion section. Angel has had fantastic improvement over the past years and we look forward to how far she'll go! In her spare time, Angel runs track and plays basketball. She is an honor roll student and is at level three in sign language. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral #jtcentralband #ilschoolstories

Joliet Central High School Band weekly student highlight: Alexus Maldonado. Alexus is a junior trumpeter in our band program. Alexus started off her high school music career enrolling in AP Music Theory, and then expressed an interest in playing in band. She’s been playing trumpet since last March, and has worked hard enough in that short amount of time to earn a spot in our symphonic band. She is proof that you still flourish musically even if you missed those elementary and junior high band sign ups! Alexis often used her spare time, including her lunch breaks, to practice trumpet on her own. In her spare time, Alexus sings and plays guitar in her own band. She has also performed with the Joliet Central Jazz Combo on guitar, and performs on trumpet with our marching band and pep band. Alexus has been on the honor roll multiple times and has earned a recognition for academic excellence in Advanced Placement in Human Geography. #ILSchoolStories #thetraditionstartswithyou #jtcentralband #jolietcentral #204takeover

Pep assembly today. #jolietcentral #jtcentralband

Joliet Central High weekly student highlight: James Jaskowiak. James is a junior string bassist in our band program. James joined our band as a freshman with no previous school music experience. This did not stop him from flourishing and quickly becoming one of our top performers. James has performed on mellophone, string bass, electric bass, and guitar with the Joliet Central Band program. We are always impressed with James’s work ethic as he practices a piece until it’s mastered. Stop by one of our symphonic band, marching band, pep band, big band, or jazz combo rehearsals or performances and you are likely to see James putting out a great a musical performance. #thetraditionstartswithyou #204takeover #jolietcentral #jtcentralband

Some early morning Joliet band History. Our podium. Many people might not realize that we actually still use the same podium that our first director used. Here a couple of photos. I don't know exactly when it came into use, and tried to find some photographic evidence this morning, but no luck prior to 1940. The base has a manufacturing location of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's heavy (not just physically).