'Remarkable': Farmingdale HS Marching Band Performs 2 Weeks After Tragic Bus Crash

FARMINGDALE, NY — Thunderous cheers and applause. Tears. Pride. Hugs. Hope. All of that was in abundance as a sea of Dalers green, black and white descended upon Farmingdale High School for the school's homecoming on Friday night.

Of the thousands surrounding the perimeter of the football field, many of them were there to celebrate the marching band's return to the field, just two weeks after the horrific bus crash that claimed the lives of two educators: Gina Pellettiere, 43, of Massapequa, and Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale. The bus overturned in Orange County on Sept. 21 as it was transporting the marching band to its annual band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Daler Marching Band performed without the guiding baton of Pellettiere — or "Ms. P," as her students affectionately knew her. But while Pellettiere was not physically on the field during the pre-game and halftime performances, her students knew she was there in spirit.

"This is definitely what she would’ve wanted," Philip Sullivan, a senior trumpet player in the Farmingdale marching band, told Patch. "I know she’s looking down on us right now, happy that we’re back performing, carrying on her legacy."

The band first took the field before the opening kick-off between the Farmingdale Dalers and Baldwin Bruins. It performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of an emotional crowd, followed by the school's fight song.

Ryan Laffey, a senior euphonium player, said Pellettiere "would have loved this." He said he was excited to be back on the field performing in front of a huge crowd, but that it was also emotional.

"This is the first time since then, so it’s tough," he said.

The Dalers got off to a roaring start, leading 28-0 at the half. The marching band and Dalerettes once again took the field, this time for its first halftime show without Pellettiere. The band opened with "Proud Mary." The opening number was sandwiched between roars of support from the crowd.

The Dalers went on to shut out the Bruins, 42-0.

Mason Schwimmer, a junior sousaphone player, said the students in the band unanimously wanted to perform at home football games this season. He said for some members of the band, performing is healing.

"It’s really nice," Schwimmer said.

Sullivan said he's really glad to be back on the field.

"After that accident, everyone was all shaken up, so I think the best therapy we could do is being back on the field," he said.

The bus crash rocked the Farmingdale community. In the wake of losing Pellettiere and Ferrari, who chaperoned band camp every year despite being a retired teacher, several fundraisers were made to financially support the victims of the crash.

Many students were injured and face medical bills, while Pellettiere's 2-year-old son, Joseph, is without a parent. The business community is rallying around Joseph and the injured students, raising money to help.

"You can just even tell from the homecoming event here today how the unity has been amazing," said John Kopack, the father of a Farmingdale High School football player. "People are pulling together. There’s strength in numbers, and we’re Daler Strong all the way."

Kopack called the marching band's spirit "remarkable."

Chris Romano, a former Farmingdale marching band member and alto saxophone player who graduated in 2013, used to take the annual band camp trips with Pellettiere. He said he gives the band "so much credit" for returning to the field just two weeks after an unimaginable loss.

"They have so much pride," Romano said.

Many former and current students of Pellettiere mourned her at her wake services and funeral.

"I broke," Romano said of watching Pellettiere's funeral Mass online. "It broke me. I’m always going to miss her. She was an inspiration."

There's still healing to come. But Sullivan said the band plans to work as a team to overcome the tragedy of losing their beloved teacher.

"We’re coming together," he said. "All differences are being put aside. We’re one big family that’s going to get through this."

Related:

• Thank You, 'Ms. P': Honoring The Music Teacher And Her Impact On Us
• Gina Pellettiere's Rise To Farmingdale Band Director
• Remembering Gina Pellettiere: Farmingdale Band Students Share Memories
• 'Life Of The Party': Beloved Farmingdale Music Teacher Laid To Rest
• 'The Most Beautiful Soul': Farmingdale's Bea Ferrari Mourned
• Fundraisers For 'Ms. P's' Son, Farmingdale Students Hurt In Bus Crash
• LI Students Critically Injured In Bus Crash In 'Less Critical Care'