School Brass Section To Debut In St. Patrick's Day Parade
By Kathy Orr
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With every puff into her French horn, 13-year-old Ikirah Sanders gets her part a little closer to perfect. Same with 12-year-old trombone player Laila Hamiter. The 7-piece brass band at St. Francis De Sales School on South 47th Street in Philadelphia is polishing up two classic Irish songs, "Danny Boy" and "The Irish Washerwoman," for the 2015 St. Patrick's Day parade.
"It's a very big deal to us," Ikirah said.
How excited are they to be in a parade? "Very!" both said.
This is the first time St Francis De Sales will be represented in the parade, but it's not their first rodeo. The school has an orchestra with 150 players. They've played everywhere from the Kimmel Center to major sporting events.
"The idea is that the hand that holds an instrument will never hold a gun," said school principal Sister Mary McNulty.
The orchestra reflects a neighborhood long home to immigrants. Back in 1904, when the school opened, most were from Ireland.
Laila said, "The Irish immigrants helped build up this school for other people and other immigrants to come and learn."
Over the decades, the school became a melting pot. Now it includes students from Africa, Asia, Latin America. The school principal, Sister Mary McNulty, says the school is a great reflection of St. Patrick's life.
"He was a missionary, and I think a missionary's heart is open and goes out to all people," Sister Mary said.
"He taught other immigrants and the Irish about the trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, by using the shamrock leaves," Ikirah said.
So on parade day, in St. Patrick's honor, Laila and Ikirah will be ready.