Celebrations

I am an alum of the CCJHS band program. I graduated in 1976 and have fond memories of my time in the bands at Columbia City. The director for my first three years was Keith Gnagy and for my senior year it was a guy by the name of Ramsey. [Gnagy] was a great director that had the concert bands, pep bands, marching bands all humming along. The concert band and marching bands numbers were both around 80-90. I was a drummer/percussionist. I currently teach social studies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I was looking around on the high school website and noticed that the band program had its own site. To my pleasant surprise it appears as though the band program is continuing the tradition that I was a part of for my tenure at CCJHS. Keep up the good work.
~Tim Moore (CCHS Alum living in Wisconsin)

You sounded great at the Lasagna supper the other night.
~James Hill (CCHS Teacher/Band Parent)

I wanted to drop you a line and express to you how much I enjoyed the concert last night. The kids sounded GREAT! My parents attended as well and they really enjoyed themselves and thought the kids were awesome.
~Gina Kessinger (Band Parent)

Last night I attended the spring joint concert with ISMS and CCHS bands. What a wonderful opportunity to see improvement over the years as the students progress along the way. Thanks so much to Mr. Criss for inventing the idea in the first place and following through over the past three years. There were close to 1000 people here last night enjoying the music presentation.
~Steve Doepker (CCHS Principal)

I absolutely love your guards "The bird and the worm" show. I have a daughter in the New Castle guard (Open Class) and every week I look forward to seeing if your group is performing at the sight we are at.
Saturday at Anderson, you guys rocked. Your performance gave me chills it was so good. By far my favorite show out of all the classes
I was able to catch a few of your parents and let them know how much myself and a few of our other mom's appreciate the edginess and energy of your show.
GREAT JOB, and I wish you much success this season.
~Jennifer (New Castle Parent)

Hi, I was at the Grace College game last night celebrating my son’s birthday. As the I was waiting for the game to start, I was enjoying the band and thinking how wonderful they sounded. I was under the impression that it was a college age band until they announced later in the evening that the Columbia City prep band was joining the Grace College band tonight. WOW! I was so surprised and very impressed. Your band was awesome!!!!! As a WCCS teacher, I was very proud last night!!!! I don’t know if any of your students are Coesse students, whether they are or not, please tell them they did a wonderful job and this teacher really enjoyed listening to them!
~Nanette Pierce (Coesse Teacher)

Congrats on your accomplishments with our band and flag corp. I got goose bumps the other day watching your young people lead the swimmers through the hallways. WE HAVE A Band!!!!!!!!
~Bob Lotter (CCHS Teacher)

What an awesome experience.
~Karen Flora (CCHS Guidance)

I came to the Competition on Saturday, I would like to tell you how impressed I was. I watched several bands and I really liked the fact that all your flag girls smiled during their routines, most of the other girls did not. Also I loved your enthusiasm! It was nice to see you high fiving the kids and the yell outside. I really appreciate all you do, you make it fun as well as work. I thought the kids played great too. I am a first time band parent so I'm not sure what to look at when they compete but I was very impressed with the flag girls. And Amanda represents the band very well, with her beautiful smile.
~Patti Hendryx (Band Parent)