JACKSON – More than just Irish eyes will be smiling when members of Jackson Liberty High School Band take part in one of the Big Apple’s most popular parades next week.
The Township School District was pleased to announce recently that the Lions were chosen to lead the Grand Marshall, and the rest of the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, up 5th Avenue on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17.
The parade will be televised on NBC starting at 11 a.m. They’ll be performing a popular song for the holiday, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” arranged by Band Director Scott Katona.
Katona is thrilled over the invitation. He remarked, “each year we look for new opportunities in performance for these students. We have performed for the opening ceremonies in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.”
“We were a part of the opening sequence of the Miss America Pageant and we were a featured performance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade,” he added.
Katona noted that the award-winning band also opened the Pulaski Day ceremonies in New York City. “Now we can add leading the Grand Marshall and the rest of the New York City Patrick’s Day Parade up 5th Avenue. It’s a testament of how hard these students work, both past and present, to award us with these opportunities,” the band director added.
“When I received the email stating we would be leading the Grand Marshall I was over the top excited which was followed by an immediate sense of pride for this program and everyone involved,” he said. “The performance opportunities these students get would never be possible without the support of our school district administration and Board of Education.”
Senior percussionist Lauren Janson is equally thrilled for the opportunity. “I am very excited to perform in the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade this year. The song “Irish Eyes” is a fan favorite and I look forward to seeing and hearing the crowd’s reaction to our performance.”
Senior band member Lilly Olsen added, “what an amazing honor we have been given to lead the Grand Marshall in the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. I’m looking forward to the memories I will make performing in the parade.”
