"No matter what team you like, you are all Jets fans this weekend," the director told band members.
View full sizeBaldwinsville school district flutists (from left) sophomore Erin Knaul, 15, freshman Carina Scalise, 14, sophomore Lona Sharpstene, 14, and freshman Gabrielle Piraino, 14, rehearse Thursday at Baker High School in Baldwinsville for an upcoming performance for the New York Jets. Baldwinsville, NY -- Rachel Taylor, a member of Baker High School’s pep band in Baldwinsville, is excited to perform for the New York Jets Saturday at the NFL team’s training camp in Cortland.
“I think it’s really pretty awesome,” said Taylor an upcoming senior who plays the alto saxophone. “I’m not nervous yet, but I’m sure I will be on Saturday.”
The Baldwinsville Central School District’s pep band, Plan Bee, was selected to perform for the team during pre-game festivities, which run from 4 to 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. They will also perform on the field immediately prior to the “Green and White” scrimmage, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The Jets are expecting about 10,000 people to attend the game.
“No matter what team you like, you are all Jets fans this weekend,” Casey Vanderstouw, the band’s director, told the group during practice Thursday night. Vanderstouw also taught the band the Jet’s cheer.
“We’re going to yell this,” he said. “It’s really going to get the crowd going, then we’re going to play.”
View full sizeBaldwinsville senior Jeremy Bossert practices his tuba Thursday at Baker High School. The band will be performing for the New York Jets on Saturday in Cortland. The 80 members of Plan Bee gathered during their summer vacation in a hot band room at Baker High School to practice for Saturday’s performance. “They are really an incredible group of kids,” Vanderstouw said. “I’m excited for Saturday.”
Dan Bulger, 17, an upcoming senior, said he isn’t a football fan but is very excited about performing at the Jets game. “It’s pretty amazing,” Bulger said. “It’s the biggest thing we’ve done. Not many high school bands get the chance to play for a NFL team.”
Caleb Wilcox graduated from Baker High School in June but came back for the performance. He credits the opportunity to play for the Jets to Vanderstouw.
“He’s incredible,” Wilcox said of the band’s director. “He’s amazing and he was able to give us this an amazing opportunity.”