East Meadow Marching Bands Take Top Honors At Columbus Day Parade

EAST MEADOW, NY — The marching bands from East Meadow's two high schools both took home top honors in New York City's 77th Annual Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 11. The W.T. Clarke High School Rams Marching Band placed first, and the East Meadow High School Jets Marching Band took second.

“We are so proud of our students’ work ethic, attention to detail and positive attitude,” said Jessica Shenker, W.T. Clarke High School’s chairwoman of music. “Our success would not be possible without our incredible band staff, including our marching band director Mrs. Molly Tittler-Ingoglia, our color guard instructor Mrs. Patricia Dunn, and our drumline instructor Mr. Steven Blutman.”

The Rams’ 2021-22 performance program is comprised of “Children of Sanchez” by Chuck Mangione and “Patriotic Finale” arranged by Ralph Ford.

“The East Meadow High School Marching Band would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Ingoglia, Mrs. Shenker and the W. T. Clarke Rams Marching Band on their first-place finish at this year's Columbus Day Parade,” said Stephen Engle, East Meadow High School’s chairman of music. “We were so happy to be back in New York City marching in what has become a part of the cultural fabric of the EMHS music department. I know I speak for the entire staff and school community when I say that we are so proud of our students for how hard they have worked and for all they have achieved.”

The Jets have performed in the annual Columbus Day Parade since 1992. Their 2021-22 performance program includes John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" and the Michael Jackson classic, “Thriller.”

“Performing music during the pandemic has presented many challenges for music education, but true to East Meadow, our students and staff rose to the occasion and have succeeded despite those challenges,” said Kelly Gelfer, the East Meadow School District’s director of music and art. “I can’t say enough about their professionalism and dedication to our community and our program. They bring such pride to the East Meadow School District."