Joliet Central High School Band highlight: Junior Saxophonist Noah Riley. Noah Riley is our saxophone section leader in symphonic band. He is pulling double duty lately, as pictured, with alto saxophone and soprano saxophone. Noah was asked to fill on in some last minute solo changes and director rewrites (Thanks Noah!) and has risen to the occasion, as expected. Noah is also an accomplished piano player and has performed with our big band in the past. You may have heard him on the marching field earlier this year as the saxophone soloist on "Cold Sweat." Outside of band, Noah is on the varsity baseball team and holds a strong academic schedule with honors. We are always impressed with Noah's commitment, character, and work ethic. He is a true testament of hard work paying off. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral #jolietcentralband #ilschoolstories

Joliet Central High School Band highlight: The BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION! The JTHS Band Parent Association has been around as long as the band and helps with the physical, financial and moral support of our program. This particular photo is one of the only photos I have of most of our band parent board together this year, as they are always working to make sure things run smoothly! Next time you see a band parent, thank them for making sure that our students have clean and properly fitted uniforms, financial support for trips, supervision for events, water for parades, refreshments for social events, and communication on special events. Our band parents have also organized fundraisers for the band, help to carry and move large equipment for concerts, football games, basketball games, and parades, and have even helped repair instruments at the last minute. Their most challenging job is keeping the director in line. Band parents help students and band directors continue our high-quality "band way of life", and we are forever grateful for them! Our special thanks to this year's Band Parent Association for continuing the hard work that every JTHS/JCHS Band Parent Association has done since 1912. You all do great work for our music students and community! #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral #jolietcentralband #ilschoolstories

Members of our jazz combo performed at the MLK Day of Service from 7:30-8:30am. We can played some Coltrane, Ellington, and Basie standards.

Joliet Central musicians at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra tonight. Spectacular performance that included Enigma Variations. Many students' first time at the symphony.

Joliet Central Brass Choir performed tonight at the Holly Club's Christmas party downtown. Great job to all, and thanks for getting dressed up on a Saturday night!

Joliet Central High School Band weekly student highlight: Carlos Lockwood. Carlos is a senior percussionist, and one of our most active musicians. Carlos has performed in our symphonic band, drumline, front ensemble, jazz lab band, big band, percussion ensemble, musical pit orchestra, and pep band (just to name a few). Carlos has developed into a great percussionist due to his hard work ethic in band and through studying private drum lessons. He's one of our most reliable members and puts his all into our program. Carlos is looking to continue his musical studies in college as he pursues a career in the fine arts. #thetraditionstartswithyou #jolietcentral#jtcentralband #ilschoolstories

Great first big band appearance at our Sounds of the Season concert! Here are some "backstage" photos. I told everyone in the audience about our players. At the beginning of the year we had a full brass and rhythm section, but no saxophones. We did an all-call, and now we have nine in big band! Two actually play saxophone, and seven have learned. Some play clarinet in the band, while one plays tuba, oboe, and one even plays string bass full time. I was especially proud that a few of them even soloed on their new instrument. Great job to all today!

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