About
The Jamestown High School Band is observing the 95th anniversary of its origin! Its history goes back to its organization under Arthur Goranson (1924 – 1948). Subsequent Directors include: Delbert Vossberg (1948 – 1953); Charles Jacobson (1953 – 1968); Cecil Adams (1968 – 1969); Frank Smeragliuolo (1969 – 1970); Jeffrey Corbin (1970 – 1980); Lou Deppas (1980 – 2000); Gary Kurtis (2000 – 2001); Keith Hall (2000 – 2001); Cathy South (2001 – 2002); Cory Derrenbacher (2002 – 2005); Jamie Sigler (1998 – 2006); James Stephens (2005 – 2006); Marc Lentsch (2006 - 2010) and Meghan (Bolling) Murray (2006 - ).
The band has had an outstanding tradition of excellence dating back to 1924. They have competed locally as well as nationwide in Concert, Parade, and Marching Band competitions. Their accomplishments include representing New York State at the Festival of States in St. Petersburg, Florida (1982 and 1988). The Band also represented N.Y.S. at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (1984, 1989 and 1995). The 1989 Macy’s trip included 2 national television appearances on the David Letterman Show and in 1995 they appeared on NBC’s The Today Show. In 1986 the Band performed on New Year’s Day at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The Concert Band appeared in concert in Carnegie Hall in 1998. In 2000, the Band was named “Grand Champion International” at the North American Music Festival Competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Band traveled to the FedEx Orange Bowl as New York State Representatives in 2004. There, they placed first in both categories, parade band and field competition, and won the right to perform at Pre-Game. In December of 2007 the Band traveled to Orlando, FL and performed in the nationally televised Citrus Parade and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. The Marching Band has participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City (2010) and Chicago (2017). The Band traveled to Disney World to participate in the Electric Light Parade in the Magic Kingdom in 2012 and 2014. In December of 2019 the Marching Band traveled to Disney World to perform in the Magic Kingdom’s New Year’s Eve Parade!
The Marching Band has earned five New York State Field Band Conference Championship titles. The years include 1992 (Class AAA), 2002, 2014, 2015 and 2018 (Large School 2). The Concert Band has also received numerous grade 6 A+ ratings in New York State School Music Association Competition Festivals.