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).

Joliet Central High weekly student highlight: Juan Garcia. Juan is a senior trumpeter in our band program. And Juan is special because he gets the job done the right way, on time, the first time. Juan performs in our Symphonic Band and jazz groups. He's always practicing to get better, and puts the band before himself at times. His musical improvement is being noticed by others, and he serves to be a role model in the sense of dedication and consistency. Juan's dedication to the band is evident by his rehearsal attendance. He is often the first to be here, and is always willing to help. We were especially impressed to learn that he saves up his own money to pay for bus fare to attend evening rehearsals. Congratulations Juan - we appreciate your efforts and talents! #thetraditionstartswithyou #jtcentral #jtcentralband #204takeover

Joliet Central High weekly student highlight: Erion Washington. Erion is a junior saxophonist in our band program. We're amazed at her progress over the past three years! Erion has been extremely helpful this school year. A new student with no band experience wanted to play in the band, and Erion has taken it upon herself to give this student lessons during our band period. We're proud of Erion's hard work, and we're proud that she is helping to provide musical opportunities for other students. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jtcentral #jtcentralband #204takeover

Joliet Central Band weekly student highlight: Sydni Smith, flute. Sydni is wind captain for the marching band, and performs on flute and piccolo for marching band and symphonic band. You can see her performing on September 9th with our flute quartet at the Joliet Cathedral Area Preservation Association Housewalk. In addition to the band, Sydni is the secretary for NHS and regularly volunteers at Joliet District 86 events. Sydni is one of those students that just keeps getting better. Future piccolo players should start practicing now - Sydni will leave big shoes to fill! #jthsband #jths #jolietcentral #thetraditionstartswithyou

Band History: a program from the 22nd anniversary of the band, circa 1934-1935. Lots of JT and band history in this program.