St. Augustine brass band wins first place, instruments

The St. Augustine High School Marching 100 Brass Band took home the first- place prize and $10,000 worth of instruments at the third-annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation’s “Class Got Brass” competition March 23.

“It was our presentation that really set us apart from the rest of the competitors,” Jeffery Herbert, director of St. Augustine bands said. “Our grand marshal’s costume was impressive, and the band really wowed the judges with the traditional jazz funeral procession-style marching.”

With $10,000 worth of new instruments, the Marching 100 could potentially increase its size by about 30 members next school year.

This was the newly formed brass band’s first time competing in the competition. The brass band musicians come from within the ranks of the St. Augustine’s legendary Marching 100, whose talents and styles fit a traditional brass band.

Members began practicing in January, right on the heels of football season, and in the middle of parade season preparations and other performances. This required band members to spend weekends in preparation for the “Class Got Brass” competition.

“This whole experience taught me that if I put in the time, I can accomplish anything,” Joshua Willard, senior brass band member, said.

Members of the 10-musician brass band were: grand marshal Terrell Allen, Herman Brooks, Chandler Cyres, Gregory Cyres, Dorian Jones, LeBron Joseph, Christopher Rankins, Marcus Robinson, Joshua Willard and Herman Williams.

Competing teams also received a brand new trumpet and trombone, courtesy of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews.