When you think of the Liberty band, you might think of the trumpets, saxophones, trombones, or maybe even the guy on the bass. But there’s a big part of the band community that may seem small form the audience. And if you’ve ever been to one of the very talented band concerts, you might have seen him there, and maybe seen him play.

This is Cookie Monster, who is also known as “Cookie.” He is the most beloved trumpet player the students know. One of his favorite people, Sophie Pena (10), gives her thoughts on having Cookie in class.

“Cookie is delightful,” Pena said. “I love having him at jazz band practice, he makes the mood light. My favorite part is the joy he brings to the band. We absolutely love having him around. I call him my child because I am the one usually in charge of him. I take him out, put him back, tie his tie and hold him. He feels like my baby.”

Cookie has been loved since he got here and at every concert, the musicians do their best to try and let him play during a show.

“He plays two short songs (‘Call to the Post’ and a jazz riff) on his trumpet. Cookie also sings and plays “When the Saints Go Marching In” in early Trad Jazz Style similar to how Louis Armstrong performed and sang it. Cookie is there to remind us that Jazz music was originally created by people wanting to dance, move, and have fun with music and that we should be doing the same in our learning and performing,” band director Sarita Magno said.

Cookie’s latest appearance was at the band concert on March. 6. This concert went very smoothly, from set up to closing. One of the trumpets explain the reason for the show.

“It was our pre-contest concert before large ensemble, the reason was to get a feel of playing that music in front of an audience. This show was a good learning opportunity and to see what we need to work on and how to improve,” Zach Koepke (11) said.

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Kelsey Altrup

Sarita Magno raises a hand and begins to direct her show.