ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The band at University High School has a lot to brag about.
The magnet program has a long list of awards, including “Superior” ratings from the Florida Bandmasters Association.
All those accolades may lead some to puff out their chest and brag.
If you ask the director and the band students about all of their trophies, they will quickly tell you the awards are not what matters to them.
Director Jon Brown said his focus is on the students.
“The goal is to do something artistic and do something that is going to be at the top of our level and create something that the audience is going to enjoy and the kids are going to be proud of,” he said.
The students will tell you they are not just part of a band.
“We’re not just friends, we’re definitely family,” said sophomore Jessica Rivera-Strumpf.
Being part of that family has led to them making beautiful music together, but Rivera-Strumpf said it’s also helped her in other ways.
“Since I’ve been in this program I’ve gained more self-worth and self-confidence,” she said.
Senior Matthew Pedrero said the band helped him through the pandemic.
“I came in here as a freshman and that was our COVID year, so I lost contact with almost everybody, and so it’s just been a great way to meet new people,” the senior said. “It’s just one really big family.”
You can hear the students perform together on Wednesday, March 6. They will perform around 5:45 p.m. when WKMG Hits the Road at Rio Pinar Golf.
You can also learn more about the band on Riff on This. Host Samara Cokinos will be releasing a new episode about the band on Thursday, March 7.
Check out every episode of Riff On This in the media player below: