At 11 a.m. Thursday 115 Pomperaug High School students, armed with instruments and coordinated outfits, set off on a 35-block march through the streets of New York City in the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Starting at 44th street and marching in front of a pipe and drum corps of marchers from Ireland, Pomperaug held their own as a legitimate band, and enjoyed themselves while doing it.
“It was a perfect day for it (the parade),” said Sarah Goss. “Everybody was really enthusiastic.”
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“It brought a lot of comradery to the group,” she said.
They marched and played in unison aided by their conductor, Bob D’Angelo, band teacher at Pomperaug. Some parents acted as chaperones, making sure to keep lines in order and provided water to the students when necessary.
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Pomperaug was one of the first high school bands in the march, and all of America got to see them on television when the parade began. Though they had to walk 35 blocks in just over an hour, band members were thankful for the good weather — it was close to 60 degrees when the parade started — and excited by the television coverage, as well as the experience itself.
“It was very painful, but fun,” said freshman Connor Jones. “It’s really good exposure for the school.”
“It went really well,” said Billy Bivona. “Playing was fine, and it was really nice out.”
Pomperaug High School’s marching band marched in the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country, and looked good doing it. If you missed it, don’t worry — they’ll be marching again next year.
