After a long hiatus from indoor performances, the Blue Jay Symphonic and Jazz Bands made a return to the stage—or, in this case, the Benson Arena floor—on Saturday May 1. The occasion was marked by an energetic, rapt audience that was eager to once again hear the band under the direction of Joe Caluda ’79 and Jason Giaccone. To match the musical energy in the room, a spectacular light show and visual production was architected by Jesuit facilities manager D.J. Galiano ’07.

Caluda thanked the audience for sharing the evening with the Blue Jay band program, beginning with thanking Jesuit mother Alexis Murphy and all of the parents who helped decorate the gym for the concert. He also thanked and recognized the band booster officers including president Ryan Foster, co-vice presidents Frank Nata and Dan Senentz, and treasurer Paul Fine.

“It is hard to believe that this is the first time since December 2019 that we have had the chance to come together like this,” said Caluda. “and it borders on miraculous considering the past year that we have all endured.”

“What an honor and a privilege it has been for me to watch these students mature and grow into the man for others that each one of them has become,” he said to band parents before extolling graduation seniors to “stay close to God, and find your passion in life. I promise you that there, too, will you find your happiness and your success.”

The band also recognized the accomplishments of several of its members over the course of the year. A number of Blue Jays successfully placed into one or more of the Louisiana Music Education Association honor bands over the course of the spring semester.

Photos—including the photos featured in this article—were taken by Jorge Schwarz, and awards and performances by both ensembles were livestreamed by Terry Meilleur with assistance from Rachel Meilleur, one of Jesuit’s own librarians.