JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The First Coast High School Marching Band was also derailed by the weather.
Assistant Band Director Joseph Cloud said they almost decided not to perform.
He said they are not the most “financially gifted” school in the area. The marching band does not have rain gear.
“We said, ‘Forget it. Let’s get the uniforms wet, we’ll get them dry-cleaned again, we’ll spend some more money if we have to,’” Cloud said.
The band marched out to the stand at the beginning of the second quarter.
Cloud said a main concern was the student’s instruments.
“We did not want our woodwind section to get their instruments wet. They can be pretty pricey to fix,” he said.
The solution to that problem simple, but eliminated a section of the band.
“We decided to overcome that adversity bringing just the brass out,” he laughed. “The brass love it when it’s raining, because they can keep their lips moist.”
Cloud said their style of marching band gave them an advantage for the bad weather.
“We’re the best traditional band in Duval County. High knee high step. Who wants to go wade in water?” Cloud said.
In the end, the band leaders wanted to make sure the kids had fun.
“We didn’t want to spoil their fun. This is their game, their time.”
WJAX
