Inaugural Band Reunion Connects Music Makers Past & Present

Posted August 16, 2016 / Last updated August 20, 2016

Fifty band alumni stretching from 1948 to 2016 reconnected with today’s music program by attending Mass, having dinner together in the Student Commons, and enjoying a mini concert in the auditorium.

Blue Jay band alumni from 1948 to 2016 returned to Carrollton and Banks on Saturday, August 13, for the inaugural Blue Jay Band Homecoming. Nearly 50 Blue Jay alumni and their families returned to campus to connect with each other and the Blue Jay bandsmen of 2017.

View the Inaugural Blue Jay Band Homecoming Photo Gallery.

The event began with Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs celebrated by Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66, who welcomed the former bandsmen and thanked the band community of students, band directors, and parents for their enhancement of life at Jesuit. Mass ended with the playing of the Alma Mater by the Alumni Band, led by Dave Schof ’56 and conducted by current band director Mr. Joe Caluda ’79. Following dismissal, the alumni Jays waxed nostalgic thanks to the Alumni Band’s playing of the Fight Song outside of the chapel and a side trip to the band room as they made their way to the Student Commons for a festive reception. There, joined by the common bond of band membership, the Jays of today and the past shared stories of memorable – and not so memorable – band performances. A special treat was the appearance of former band directors Karl Hymel, B.J. Perez, and Brenda Castillo. All enjoyed refreshments and jambalaya compliments of Jesuit’s advancement office and gumbo and red beans and rice, a generous donation of Copeland’s Restaurant. Thanks to the good work of band booster leaders Roger Jordan and Doug Schof, band parents assisted with food prep and service. Before heading to the auditorium for a mini-concert by today’s Jays, guests heard from advancement director Tom Bagwill, alumni director Mat Grau ’68, band director Joe Caluda ’79, band drum major William Fine ’17, and band alumni reps Dave Schof ’56 and David White ’83.

Alumni who are interested in joining the Alumni Band should contact Dave Schof at daveschof@cox.net or (504) 319-9661.

Galleries

Alumni Band Reunion 2016, Aug. 13, 2016

Frank Nata, who is vice president of the Jesuit Band Boosters for 2016-17 and chairman of the band's football committee, joins fellow parent Roger Jordan with set-up in the Student Commons. Jordan, seen here on the right, and Doug Schof are serving as co-presidents of this year's Band Boosters organization.
Kathlyn Caluda, the wife of band director Joe Caluda '79, joins Tammie Cavanagh preparing a table in the Student Commons.
Before Mass, alumni conduct a short rehearsal in the band room. Band director Joe Caluda '79 passes along a sheet of music to alumnus Charlie Incaprera '71 who is eager to play it again for the Blue and White.
The inauguaral Blue Jay Alumni Band Reunion started with a 4 p.m. Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs celebrated by Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J.
William Fine, who is one of two drum majors for the 2016 band, offers the reading. The other drum major is junior Leo John Arnett.
Quinn Stiller '14 handles the Responsorial Psalm.
Dave Schof '56, who served on the committee which organized the event, serves as the third reader at Mass.
Before his homily, Fr. McGinn offers his thanks to members of the Blue Jay band family, past and present, for their good work representing Jesuit High School.
Brother William Dardis '58, a key member of the event planning committee and so many other events at Jesuit, assists with Communion.
Led by director Joe Caluda, Blue Jay band alumni end Mass with the playing of Jesuit's Alma Mater.
Band alumni play the school fight song as attendees make their way from the Chapel of the North American Martyrs to the Jesuit band room.
On their way to the Student Commons, alumni and their families are invited to see today's band room on the third floor of the 1950s wing.
Parents of today's Jays assist with serving jambalaya, red beans and rice, and gumbo. The red beans and gumbo were graciously donated by Copeland's.
Parents of alumni and good friends Arthur Roussel and Richard Bordelon '74 share a laugh at the reception. Their sons, Matthew Roussel '10 and Ricky Bordelon '11, enjoyed the day of reconnection too.
A pair of current bandsmen get a kick out of Dane Castillo's new hair color. Castillo led the Blue Jay Marching Band and MCJROTC Band in 2015-16.
Michele Longo visits with Ken Boe '84, who was a member of the band in the early 80s and is the father of band alumnus Adam Boe '15. Longo's pre-freshman son Michael is a bass drummer.
Alumni director Mat Grau '68 stresses the importance or remaining connected to each other as members of the band family and to remaining connected to Jesuit.
Alumni organizers Dave Schof '56 and David White '83 thank members of the committee who planned the event and invite band alumni to join them in playing at the Jesuit vs. Holy Cross football game on Friday, September 30.
Band director Joe Caluda '79 accepts a vinyl recording of a 1961 Blue Jay band concert from alumnus Charles Haddad.
1948 classmates Mark Parker and A.J. Capritto join alumni director Mat Grau at the reception in the Student Commons.
Mark Parker '48 personally invited many of Jesuit's senior band alumni to the event. At the reception, he shows alumni director Mat Grau a letter of regret he received from Harold Zeringer, a Blue Jay from the Class of 1938.
Alumni and friends share stories of the good old days before heading over for a mini concert in the auditorium.
Fifty band alumni stretching from 1948 to 2016 reconnected with today's music program by attending Mass, having dinner together in the Student Commons and enjoying a mini concert in the auditorium.
The show begins with an energetic performance from the 2016-17 Jayettes who are coached by Ms. Chloe Crosby and moderated by Ms. Nilda Rivera. Thirty young ladies from all across the city make up this year's dance team.
Band director Mr. Joe Caluda '79 proudly introduces his 2016-17 Blue Jay Band.
Drum majors William Fine '17 and Leo John Arnett '18 bring the Blue Jay Band to attention.
The band performs three tunes from the halftime show they'll feature during the 2016 football season and in district band competition.