Sounds of victory provided by Jaguars for N.Y. Giants
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - The Jackson Memorial High School marching band added to its list of achievements last week when its members participated in the NewYork Giants Super Bowl victory parade in New York City.

The Feb. 5 parade followed the Giants' 17-14 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Band director Bud McCormick was contacted by the New York City mayor's office and asked if the Jaguars would perform. He called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the band members.

McCormick noted that the band had previously performed in three other ticker tape parades, played at several World Series games, marched in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade and played at the 2004 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.

Drum major Eric Dauenhauer, 17, said it was a pleasant surprise to be asked to perform in the Giants' victory parade.

Drum major Suzette Ingram, 18, said it was an honor for her band to be selected out of all the high school bands in New Jersey.

"We were the only one," she said. "It really was an honor to represent the state."

On the morning of the parade the band members met at the high school at 5 a.m. for the bus ride to New York City. As thousands of fans lined the Canyon of Heroes, the parade began at 11:13 a.m. and covered 15 blocks, moving up Broadway to City Hall Plaza, a 30-minute walk.

The Jaguars returned home with memories that will last a lifetime.

"It was amazing," Suzette said. "The crowds were huge and after we turned the corner and started the parade we were playing … and the crowd just started singing along. Eli Manning and Michael Strahan were two floats ahead of us, but we saw them throughout the parade. Manning was holding the Super Bowl trophy. It was very exciting."

She said McCormick subsequently received a phone call from the New York Yankees asking if the band can play on opening day.

Drummer Gina Tripp, 15, said the experience was unreal because the Giants are her favorite football team.

"I love drumming and doing what I want to do for the Giants was really cool," Gina said. "Helping to celebrate in their victory was really a lot of fun. I was very excited that they won the Super Bowl and to be in the parade was really exciting."

Leah Sharp, 16, who plays the clarinet, said the parade was awesome.

"It was a very nice experience because it may never happen again for me," Leah said. "Being able to march was pretty incredible. I saw Eli Manning and a group of football players [on the float] before us, but I wasn't able to meet them." But, she said, "We had a great day. We're pretty lucky."