“The team may be tired after a performance, but to see them hyped up after a good performance is even better.”
With a lot of fall sports and activities to choose from as a high school student, the marching band is one of the groups that may be forgotten.
The Palmyra High School marching band is trying to express itself in a way not many others may be able to.
Jeff Moore has been the band’s director for 23 years and also has been a music teacher at Palmyra High School. He considers the band a family and a second home for himself, and enjoys seeing the pride in the band members after a good performance.
“The team may be tired after a performance, but to see them hyped up after a good performance is even better,” Moore said. “I’ve had past graduates and members come visit and they enjoy seeing how successful the band is and the hard work they continue to put in.”
Moore finds it rewarding to see past members come back and remain in touch with the band even after graduation.
The current roster for the band consists of 34 students, which includes the color guard, drum line and musicians.
Moore has five leaders he looks at to help prepare younger students for success, not only at football game performances, but team competitions as well.
“Evelin Morales and Mattie Wentz are our two drum majors, Will Jablonski is our percussion captain, while Shyla Bell and Cayenne Sims are our color guard co-captains,” Moore said. “Everyone truly has been a leader by leading by example, they have all grown into the program and it’s fantastic to see.”
One of Moore’s right-hand men is Doug Ferraro, who is the marching and percussion instructor on the staff. Ferraro, a Palmyra resident, is in his fourth-year helping with the Palmyra marching band and his 20th year overall around both South Jersey and Southeast Pennsylvania.
Ferraro was a member of the Bensalem High School marching band, before taking his talents to Temple University. He also judges band competitions when he is not helping with the team.
“It’s great, it’s my stress relief,” Ferraro said. “My first interaction with the band was hearing their performance come through my window during a football game. Mr. Moore also went to Bensalem High School, so we formed a good friendship through that.”
Jablonski is one of the leaders of the band who continues to try to improve, whether at practice or on his own.
The 16-year-old junior has been in concert bands since fifth grade, and decided to stay with his friends.
“Why not? I told myself,” Jablonski said. “It’s nice to have that sense of community and be with all my friends. I hope to continue playing after high school as well.”
The band won its first competition of the season on Sept. 16 at the “Calvacade of the Bands” tournament at Chichester, before finishing third on Sept. 23 at Ridley High School. The competitions continue on Oct. 7 at Millville High School.
For more information on the PHS Marching Band, check https://app.oncoursesystems.com/school/webpage/11331005.
