For over a decade, Thomas Edison Jr./Sr. High School was graced with the presence and musical prowess of Mr. James Wasmundt, who, as director of Edison’s Marching and Concert bands, led the small school to victory in many musical performance competitions, among various individual achievements. He was loved by the students and even won teacher of the year for the 2015-2016 school year.
After that school year, Wasmundt began a new chapter in his life, which meant he would move from Edison. All hope had seemed lost and many of the band and choir students thought about leaving the music program all together, but that all changed once they met their fresh-faced music director Ms. Julia Brummel.
From the moment she walked into the Edison Band room, Ms. Brummel put a smile on her students’ faces. This recent college graduate entered the room like she owned it, with uber confidence.
When asked why she wanted to become a music director, Brummel said “I know I wanted to help people, so I knew I would love to be a nurse or a teacher. I have always loved to do music, so i focused more on personal music and helping young people realize their musical ambitions. I ultimately decided to be a teacher."
A major contribution to the overall love that people had for the former director was his role as another guidance counselor for them, a role Ms. Brummel plans to continue with her “open-door policy.” To the surprise of many of the students, including me, Ms. Brummel enjoys many of the same aspects of life as her students, allowing her to create a very close connection right off the bat; everything from some sports talk to recent pop culture references were discussed in full detail on day one.
But don’t be tricked; by the second day, Edison Marching Band season had begun and Brummel was super excited to see what her kids could do. When discussing the goals for the season, Brummel simply said, “I want everyone to improve and by the end of the year make a show everyone can be proud to be a part of.”
The Marching Band had a bit of a rocky start, because they didn’t have many freshmen or sophomores who had ever marched before. Taking baby steps to start, Ms. Brummel worked tirelessly so that everyone could go out on the field “without embarrassing themselves.” She wanted everyone to go on the field every week confident and excited.
Throughout every game, win or lose, Edison’s marching band performed pregame and halftime shows to entertain those in attendance, along with playing pep songs in the stands. During homecoming weekend, the marching band performed in the parade and pep rally, during which students were graced with the dancing of their teachers, including Brummel, who did the worm across the entire half court line.
Behind the guidance of Ms. Brummel the band improved exponentially, and by Senior Night, the last home game, they performed an entire halftime show of classic movie themes: Live or Let Die, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones. Some long time attendees to Edison’s football games even recalled the Edison Marching Band's’ last performance as one of their best ever. The group was treated to a round of applause as the seniors took their final bow. A day after the last football game, Ms. Brummel organized a bonfire, in which all music-arts students at Edison enjoyed roasting s’mores and hot dogs and playing games, such as capture the flag. The Monday after the last performance, her students enjoyed, as she calls them, “post-performance popsicles,” and went right back to work for their Christmas concert. They were given classics such as Amazing Grace and Sleigh Ride, just to begin with.
With Edison Marching Band season done and over with, the marching band now transitions into a full time concert band in preparation for their Christmas concert on December 8th. Not only is Ms. Brummel an astounding band director, she also leads the high school choir and just started a high school acapella choir, with open tryouts for anyone in high school. The acapella and high school choirs will perform soonest on December 7th.
A Quick Look at Sports
Autumn Sectionals began October 1st with the Edison tennis team, who saw their one singles, (Junior) Jared Wright and one doubles, (Junior) Zeke Williams and (Sophomore) Jared Jones make regionals. Cross country also garnered loads of success with their sectionals on October 8th, where all participants made personal records and Senior Grace Dwyer made regionals, on October 15th and eventually semi-state! Dwyer is a two-way athlete in the fall, also participating in volleyball. The team was in the sectional championship on October 22nd, placing 2nd. Finally, sectional play rounds out with Edison’s football team who, after winning their first round match up, play October 28th hoping to continue forward with a victory. As always, the end of fall sports brings forth the start of Edison's winter sports: boys & girls basketball, cheerleading, and wrestling. Our cheerleaders and lifters participate in their first competition on October 29th. November 8th and November 19th are the first days of basketball season, with Edison (Lake Station) hosting the Danny Chavez Invitational on November 19th.