SLIDESHOW: Framingham Marching Band Earns Its Third Gold Medal of Season

The Flyers Marching Band finished the season this weekend winning another gold medal -- Framingham High's third gold medal of the season; and the most the marching band has ever received in a single season.

The Framingham High School Marching Band earned a gold medal in the NESBA competition in Lawrence Saturday with a score of 90.6, the highest score the band has ever received.
 
"The Flyers Marching Band has improved so much over the course of this season starting with rehearsals back in June," said Marching Band Director Brian Cervone. "It is amazing how in my first year 9 years ago, there was absolutely no marching band at all and it has just grown to what it is today."

"These students have shown dedication to the marching band and have helped create one of the most successful ensembles at FHS," said Cervone. "It is in my opinion that the students continue to get better each year and each day, and that to me is what calls a program and ensemble successful."

This year, marching band was made an after-school commitment instead of an in-school class.

"This change showed who was dedicated enough to put in more after school hours, and although the size of our band decreased a tiny bit, the change made us stronger," said junior Victoria Mescall, a member of the Framingham High School Color Guard, which is a part of the Framingham High School Marching Band.

The marching band has been practicing on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. since the last week in August, said Mescall.

The Framingham High marching band "is the perfect example of a group that strives for success, building friendships and a big family on the way," said band member Jordan Ramsay. "Standing on the field, seeing the smiles of the audience gives us a feeling of -- well, it's a feeling that can't really be described. I couldn't be more proud saying that I take part in the Pride of MetroWest."

"I am a senior and this is my last year with the marching band. I wouldn't have spent my high school career doing anything else," said Keysseh Otsuka. "Marching band is an amazing experience for anyone. We are one huge family and I love each and every member."

"I have been color guard captain for two years now and it has been a great experience," said Otsuka. "To end up with a gold medal and a score of 90.6 for my last competition was definitely a perfect way leave the band. The marching band is a perfect way to learn teamwork and to appreciate people's talents."

"Marching band has greatly exceeded all of my expectations," said sophomore Jeffrey Chan. "Before coming to the high school, I wasn't planning on doing band ... My middle school teacher, Andy Jasinski, convinced me to try it out. I thought that I was only going to stay for one year... After being exposed to the true atmosphere of high school band at pre-band camp and band camp, my feelings about it completely changed. I was incredibly eager to go to band everyday.

The saxophonist said "the band is one big family, everyone is very supportive and accept people for who they are."

"As Mr. Cervone would say, if we are better than the day before, we are a success," said Chan.

"Our instructors have instilled in us the mindset that the only thing we have to beat was our previous performance. Each week all we hope for is improvement in our musicality, our togetherness, and our score," said Mescall. "I am excited to say that each week this year we achieved that and we improved in our score."

"Now that I am a senior, I can truly see the amount of improvement that the band has shown over the course of four years," said Niklas Peschke. "I wasn't able to do marching band last year and man am I glad I could take part this year! It was definitely an incredible experience with this band, and one that I will never forget."

"Saturday night at championships, we received a 90.6 which is also a gold medal. Needless to say we were absolutely thrilled," said Mescall. "Our score from the previous week at Wakefield was an 86.2 and that is a large improvement in only one week." 

"The amount of hard work, determination, and talent that every band member put into this season was inspiring," said Reaiah Moses, a drum major for the marching band.

"Our band had am amazing season and next year I hope to break a 95 score which would win us a platinum medal," said Mescall. "I am so proud to be a member of the FFMB and I look forward to the end of our performance season with two more home football games and Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for this year's successes and I can't wait for next year."

"I am so proud of the band and I can't wait to see what happens next year," said Moses, a junior.

"We hope that due to this success, other students will want to be part of this special group in future years as most students that participate in the marching band, enjoy the experience so much," said Cervone.

Cervone wanted to thank Marching Band Assistant Director Jasinksi, who is also Fuller Middle School's Band Director, and Lauren Sleath, an elementary band director, and the marching band's woodwind instructor for their assistance all season. "This is a job that cannot be done alone," he said.

Special thanks to Framingham Patch reader and Framingham High marching band parent Cheryl Elkins for the photos in this slideshow.