The Blue Jay Band Finds Its Rhythm at Band Camp

Posted August 2, 2016 / Last updated August 10, 2016

Band members are determined to get theirs steps right as they approach the hour for dinner.

Band Camp Photo Gallery

As the school year gets nearer by the day, band members take advantage of these final summer days to tune up for the fall season of halftime shows.

The Blue Jay Marching Band, under the direction of Mr. Joe Caluda ’79 and assistant band director Mr. Jason Giaccone, spends the first week of August putting into place a musical program that includes tunes from rock artists both classic and contemporary.

The band is in full swing after a quick turn around from their multi-week tour of Europe, which included an exchange program in the first week with Clavius Gynasium in Bamburg, Germany.

Two drum majors will orchestrate the 2016-17 Blue Jay Band: senior William Fine and junior Leo John Arnett.

Eighty-one bandsmen and 30 Jayettes bussed to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, where they are working tirelessly in sweltering heat to bond and prepare the show that Blue Jay fans will enjoy throughout the season. New band members who are entering as pre-freshmen are already in that number, enjoying the camaraderie with the Jays returning from last year.

Galleries

Blue Jay Band Camp, August 1-5, 2016

Drum major Leo John Arnett checks his notes to be sure that band members stay in the correct formation.
Band members take their positions to begin this round of drills.
Assistant Band Director Jason Giaccone enjoys the opening days of 2016 band camp.
Quinn Stiller '14 returns to camp to help keep the current bandsmen on pace.
Patrick Fine '15 shares his expertise during the marching drills. Patrick will soon return to the University of Notre Dame to resume playing with the marching band of the Fighting Irish.
Pre-freshman Aiden Devine (right) concentrates on getting his steps in order.
Jayette members enjoy the milder temperatures of this year's opening day at band camp.
Former band director B.J. Perez returns to camp to lend a hand.
Early part of the formation for the 2016-2017 sideline show
Nick Caluda '11 (left) gives thoughtful instruction to seniors Roger Jordan and Dominic Baker.
Band members show determination to get theirs steps correct.
Junior Garrin Mesa holds the line for his section.
Blue Jay bandsmen enjoy a light moment between the drills.
Jayettes hold their positions while they receive instruction from the band director.
The Jayettes are all smiles as the drilling session comes to a close.
This section feels confident that it has the right formation for the sequence.
Band director Joe Caluda '79 surveys the scene as the band follows his careful direction.
Sophomore Ben Willis stands at attention with the support of his section.
Senior bandsmen and Jayettes group together at the conclusion of the afternoon drill session.
Alumni band members return to camp to help as counselors: (from left) Patrick Fine '15, Chris Stephens '13, Quinn Stiller '14, and Nick Caluda '11.