When Lynel Goodwin came to Jonesboro High School to direct the marching band nine years ago, there were just 15 students in the group. Now, an ensemble of more than 100 students is preparing to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan on Thursday.
“I’ve never even thought about going to New York until I was … grown or older,” said senior and baritone section leader Jaden Hinton. “It’s really something … very cool to experience. I’m very nervous. I’m ready to show what we got to the world.”
It won’t be the first time the band called “The Majestic Marching Cardinals” will show what they’ve got. The group has participated in high-profile events including the 2024 White House Easter Egg Roll and a promotion for Usher’s Super Bowl halftime performance. They will also perform at a New Year’s Day parade in London in 2026.
“We’re going international,” said junior and baritone player Jalen Walton. “It’s very mind-blowing, and I would not expect to be able to have fun doing what I do in high school, to be able to go international and go to London to play my instrument.”
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Traveling to perform isn’t cheap, but the band has attracted some big donations. Ebony Austin, the CEO and owner of Nouveau Bar & Grill in College Park, donated $20,000 to help the band pay for its New York trip. The band room, where students are rehearsing for the Thanksgiving performance, has a wall papered with giant checks with various donation amounts from local businesses and organizations.
What makes them so good? A White House release before the Easter Egg Roll said the band has an “energetic, high-stepping, traditional band that brings excitement and unparalleled energy to every performance.” Goodwin believes part of what makes them stand out is their signature tune “Valdosta,” a variation of hip-hop artist Archie Eversole’s “We Ready.” It begins with horns slowly blaring and rushes into a frenetic pace of percussion that sounds like it could make any wallflower want to dance or football player tackle the opponent.
Part of their success could also be attributed to the group’s work ethic. Goodwin holds practice for two-and-a-half hours three days a week, but some members said they practice a lot outside of school.
“I practice pretty much all the time,” said Hinton. “Anytime I have free time, like, outside of me working and stuff, I still like practice or I play, just play stuff.”
Junior and mellophone player Kamryn Matthias said she practices to help her remember what they played during rehearsal.
“I practice every time I go home,” she said.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Goodwin matches the students’ energy, blending in seamlessly. He occasionally chimes in with directions, but the band is mostly self-governing. Students share directing duties and lead different parts of the rehearsal. The band plays through a medley of songs that includes “Love Train” by the O’Jays, “Thank You for Being a Friend” otherwise known as the theme song to the 1980s TV show “The Golden Girls” and “Valdosta.”
The dance team joined rehearsal and put sharp, precise moves to the music. When instrumental sections don’t have to play, they dance too. There’s a balance of focus and joy. Students credit Goodwin with making the band a group students want to join.
“Oh, he(’s) brat,” Hinton said of Goodwin’s fun leadership style. “He’s a man like no other man. The man is amazing. He puts in so much energy and effort into the band program. As a whole band, we love that man from the bottom of our hearts.”
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Research shows students who are involved in musical groups — like band, chorus or orchestra — tend to perform better academically. Those who participate in any extracurricular activity have fewer school absences as a group than those who don’t. Goodwin said both are true for his students. He said last year’s band seniors were offered a total of $5.9 million in college scholarships.
“The valedictorian for the school was in the band last year,” he said. “This year’s valedictorian is in the band this year. The number one (student) in the junior class is in the band right now. The number one student in the sophomore class is in the band right now.”
During rehearsal, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air for the upcoming trip. It will be a homecoming of sorts for senior and mellophone player Angelina Cruz, who is originally from the City That Never Sleeps.
“Performing in a parade I’ve seen a lot of times is kind of scary,” she said. “My whole family’s coming and it’s quite exciting to see that. My younger siblings … are going to see me in the parade and everything, and I hope they grow up wanting to (be in) the band too.”
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Matthias is also excited about seeing New York for the first time and performing there.
“My mom told me a lot about (the parade),” she said. “I know it’s kind of big, so I’m just proud to be a part of it, because … when I get older and I have kids, I can tell them that I did something big.”
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