The West Genesee music program has a rich history and sense of community.

This winter the Camillus Middle School band director, Erin McConnell, reached out to alumni asking for them to correspond with her current students. The hope was to give the students a non-music teacher perspective of what the band program is like as a student.

McConnell was hoping to get maybe 10-15 emails or letters but was shocked to have over 90 alumni send in letters, emails, photos and newspaper articles. The alumni graduation years ranged from 1969 to this year’s senior class.

Every student in the CMS band received a letter written by an alumni of their instrument.

WG Band alumni experiences have ranged from the medical field, engineers, CEO’s, teachers, grandparents, coaches, varsity sport athletes and even our very own Wildcat Pizza owner.

It was great hearing their perspectives on how participating in band helped them through high school and shaped their work ethic as an adult.

McConnell was able to put on display a few of the letters and memorabilia for everyone to see the quality and care put in by alumni in communicating with students.