Straight out of middle school, freshman Jayce Moon is already creating a legacy for the McNeil Band.
Moon is the 2025-26 marching band clarinet soloist. Auditions happened late July where Moon beat last year’s clarinet soloist and upperclassman.
“I did it mainly to experience auditioning and getting nervous again, but I didn’t really expect to get it because I was a freshman,” Moon said. “I was really shocked [when getting the solo], but also part of me was excited as well because I was told [as] an 8th grader that no freshman could get solos…getting a solo as a freshman is a huge deal.”
His love for music inspired him to continue band in high school and audition for the solo.
“I continued the band [because] I thought it was really fun and I got to meet new people and get closer with a lot of people,” Moon said. “Marching band is really fun in general.”
Moon’s past with music influenced and impacted the person he is today.
“I love music cause I grew up in a place where music was very present,” Moon said. “Both my siblings played the piano, so when I was younger I also played the piano. Both my siblings also did band, so later when I was in middle school I also did band, and that just stuck with me all the way until high school.”
The band community offers Moon a safe place and an enjoyable experience to make tons of memories. With the pressure of such a huge responsibility, it can take away from the joy of performing music, but his peers are right there to motivate and support him.
“They’ve been really supportive,” Moon said. “They cheer me on.”
Moon has many mentors to look to as well; upperclassmen he admires who push him to succeed.
“I would say I look up to our head drum major Cormac Edmond,” Moon said. “Ever since I started marching band he’s been the one to always support me and he’s been a really good friend.”
Although Jayce is only a freshman, his dreams and appreciation for this season are big. He is excited for the journey and to take part in another great marching band season.
“I can’t wait to experience the thrill of marching our show for the first time at Bands of America,” Moon said.
