Carson High School Band Director Nick Jacques at the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 1, 2022.
Nick Jacques grew up with a passion for music. Jacques, 36, said he first began to play the alto saxophone when he was in the fourth grade in Southern California, and continued playing music throughout middle school and high school. Jacques said it offered him an opportunity to bond with his music teachers and classmates.
“I felt really comfortable just being in the class and felt like I was appreciated, supported and respected more than just as a musician, but as a person,” he said.
Jacques said he hopes to be that support for his students at Carson High School, where as band director, he’s taught classes including marching band, jazz band and music appreciation over the past four years.
“For many of my kids, it seems to be one of their favorite times of the day, so I try and tell my students, ‘OK, let's make this the best hour of our day together,’” he said.
Carson High School Band Director Nick Jacques at the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 1, 2022.
In 2022, he was part of the inaugural Saluting America’s Band Directors marching band of more than 400 band directors from across the country that participated in that year's Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Getting involved in the 2022 Rose Parade was a way for Jacques to show his students they are never too old to stay involved in music. He wanted to convey this message because he’s noticed some of his students are struggling to get back on their feet and enjoy school and life after the pandemic.
“It was really cool … to be able to show my students that I marched in something as an adult, and that they can continue in the music as long in their life as they want,” he said. “You never really get too old and outgrow playing music, nor do you ever get to a point in life where you say, Well, that's it. I've learned everything there is to know about band. I'm done.”
This year, Jacques was chosen to be one of four school band directors from Nevada to perform at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City with the Saluting America’s Band Directors project. The group will appear early in the parade’s procession following shortly after the large Snoopy balloon and the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon & White band.
Jacques said he will arrive in New York five days before the event to practice with the group and go sightseeing.