Page 8 - Hobe Sound Reflections - January '23

Page 8, Hobe Sound

school NeWs

Jupiter Community High

School Scores Top Three Spot
At FMBC

Jupiter High School’s marching band placed third in
Florida state in the Class 3A division at the Florida Marching
Band Championship (FMBC) held in Fort Lauderdale.
The inclement weather at Sunday’s final competition
was challenging for all the bands as they performed their
final routine in the pouring rain and many were without
electronic equipment. Ryan Ross, Jupiter High School
Band director, said, “The band came together to give their SOJ Marching Band State Finals
best performance given the circumstances. Each year we
strive to do our best and improve our performance and hopes of attracting new members to the band. The seniors
score. I am very proud of the band and how they handled in the band also spend a lot of time mentoring the new
the challenges of Sunday’s competition.” members of the band.
Evan Wester, assistant drum major, said, “As a senior
leader in the band, I’ve really enjoyed seeing our younger
members grow and develop a real love for marching
band. It makes me feel great
when I see the freshman excited
to participate in the band, and
I’m so glad that I was able to
contribute to their experience.”
In just a few years, Ross
Senior leaders, SOJ Band has built a very strong music
program at Jupiter High School.
and done an amazing job. I am so thankful to have been a His focus and commitment to
part of this experience. Winning isn’t the most important the program and band members
thing, but walking off the field knowing you did the best are paying off with the band
Mr. Ross, Band Director, SOJ you could with the people you love the most is. I could consistently placing top in the
not have asked for a better season for my senior year,” state each year.
The marching band this year has a strong unit of senior said Ragini Aggarwal, senior front ensemble leader. “I am so proud of these
leaders. There are 32 seniors in the band, and many of With 32 seniors leaving the program, the marching hardworking students and their Evan Wester, Assistant
them have worked and grown together in the Spirit of band depends on new members joining and staying with supportive families. They all Drum Major, SOJ
Jupiter (SOJ) band over the last four years. The older the band every year. This past Friday the band visited know the sacrifice and work
members of the band are all expected to take on leadership three middle schools to showcase their performance with that went into this final performance at FMBC. I also am
roles, from helping with the operations of the band all the thankful for the hardworking staff that gives their time
way to leading the band during the actual competitions. and commitment to this program. This has been a great
year and I thank all the seniors for their contribution to
this program, and I wish them the best of luck for the
future. I know they will all do great in life. They are great
kids,” Ross said.
About Spirit Of Jupiter (SOJ)
The Spirit of Jupiter (SOJ) Marching Band is part
of the wider Jupiter High School Music Program. In
2021 the Spirit of Jupiter was also crowned the state
champion in Class 3A at the 2021 Florida Marching
Band Championships. Visit JupiterBands.com to learn
more about the Jupiter High School Marching Band.

The 32 seniors of SOJ Ragini Aggarwal School News on page 9

Makena Mutchler, who started as a clarinet player
in the band and is now head drum major, said, “Being a
leader in this organization has always been my ultimate
goal and it has been a true privilege of my life to watch
these people grow. I love this group so much and I have
learned so much about myself and how to work together.
I am forever grateful for Mr. Ross and the SOJ program.”
The marching band was able to build on their music
and movement skills and improve their performance by
coming together for many intense summer camp sessions
as well as having regular performances during halftime of
the football games, attending several local competitions,
and clocking over 275 rehearsing hours since June.
“Since the start of summer, the band has been
working hard on this current performance. The music
was extremely complex this year, but the band has dug in

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