Story by student reporter Brianna Parker

According to Google, jamming is defined as musical groups joining together to play for their own enjoyment, and that is exactly what the Thomas County Central High School band did at the Georgia Music Educators Association District 2 Marching Band Jamboree.

The jamboree is an occasion when school bands join together in a celebration for music and their halftime shows. The event was held on Sep. 17 at Cairo High School. In total, there were around 12 bands that performed and a few thousand spectators attended, according to TCCHS Assistant Band Director Paul Johns.

TCCHS’ band put in many hours of practice in preparation for the event. They began preparing in July, and continued to do so every day in class and during after school practices.

TCCHS’ band was one of the many that performed their halftime show.

“My favorite song I performed would be ‘The Hustle’,” dazzler captain Madison Everett began. “Because the audience got really into the disco feel.”

Performing really impacted the students in a powerful way.

“Our performance was definitely our best of the season, so far,” student Sierra Stephens stated. “I got chills.”

The ultimate goal of the jamboree is not only to perform for others, but to learn as well. According to Johns, TCCHS’ band attended in hopes to learn from other area bands (GMEA District 2) and to improve their halftime show.

A performance that really stood out was done by Troy University, whose band is known as “Sound of the South.”

“It was great for our students to get the opportunity to see a college marching band, [as well as] the high quality performance that comes with a college band,” Johns said.

TCCHS students were mesmerized by Troy’s performance.

“It was absolutely amazing to watch,” Skylar Gandy said. “Their performance made me proud to be in band, and I hope to play a show like theirs someday.”