West Orange High band students continue caroling tradition

As at least 42 West Orange High School band students stood in the middle of the street in Bronson’s Landing, they blasted the notes to “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

Neighborhood residents gathered around, smiling and singing along. 

Jay Zimmerman, a junior and leader of the group, played his trumpet, adding flair to certain notes. 

After the band of carolers finished the song, they were met with applause from the residents. 

Zimmerman rushed to the ladder in front of the students and climbed up to direct the next song. 

He looked down on his band of volunteers with pride as they played. 

Then, they were on the move. 

Jason Zimmerman, Jay Zimmerman’s father, went down the street knocking on doors to let residents know the West Orange band carolers were there to perform. 

But with drummers performing in this year’s tradition and playing cadences as the students made their way down the street, the music could be heard far and wide. 

A few houses down, the group stopped to perform once again as part of the annual tradition Saturday, Dec. 13. 

For five years, Jay Zimmerman has been leading a group of students through Bronson’s Landing in Winter Garden to play songs and spread joy for all to hear each holiday season. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

Jay Zimmerman started playing trumpet in sixth grade at SunRidge Middle School; it was required for him to take a class in band, choir, orchestra or theater. He thought it would be a one-and-done situation. 

But after some time, he realized how fun it was to be in band, and he made several friends. Then, he saw West Orange High School’s band and was in awe. 

In seventh grade, Jay Zimmerman and his friends were walking around on Halloween and thought it’d be funny to start singing Christmas carols instead of saying trick-or-treat. 

That sparked an idea. 

Jay Zimmerman and six of his jazz band friends decided to go caroling that holiday season. But instead of singing, they played festive songs with their instruments. They went house to house, ringing the doorbell and playing a song or two on the front porch. 

He said they sounded bad, but it didn’t matter because they were having fun and spreading joy. 

A tradition was born. 

Over the years, the caroling group has grown. Jay Zimmerman started with seven carolers on the porch to 10 carolers in the driveway to more than 40 students performing in the street this year. 

Simple word of mouth of the memorable experiences they have had each year has led to the increase in participants.

“If someone were to ask me the best thing I ever did when I was a teenager, this is definitely it because it’s something that I’ve grown through the last couple of years and I think it actually makes a difference,” Jay Zimmerman said. “I think people really enjoy us going around. I never thought it would get this big.”

Jason Zimmerman said after the first year, people either were thrilled to watch the mini performance or disappointed they missed it. Many now want advance notice to ensure they are home on performance night. 

Bronson’s Landing’s Lisa Kierenia and her family have watched Jay Zimmerman and his fellow bandmates perform for years. 

“They’re just bringing the Christmas spirit here,” she said. “To see a bunch of high school kids that want to do something exciting to bring joy to the neighborhood, I think is really cool.”

With children of her own around the same age as Jay Zimmerman, Kierenia said it’s a “cool experience” to see children find something they’re passionate about and share it like Jay Zimmerman does every holiday season. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

The first year started with the carolers performing their jazz band music. The following years filled the streets with the sounds of West Orange High’s Christmas parade music, but Jay Zimmerman said it was becoming boring. 

So, last year, he started writing the music. 

“I wanted to write it because I wanted to be different,” Jay Zimmerman said. “I have to make sure my people are happy, and they’re not going to be happy if they’re playing Santa’s parade music over and over and over again. It’s good to bring some variety. I could have my own twist on things. This year, I’m really proud of the music.” 

This year’s set list included “Underneath the Tree,” the theme from “Home Alone” called “Somewhere in My Memory,” “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” and “Let It Snow.” 

He said he chose these songs because they were a balance of what he thought people in the neighborhood would like to hear as well as what his performers would enjoy playing.

He spent countless hours working on the music, staying up late several nights. He finished the night before caroling. 

The hard work paid off.

After the first practice run of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” one of the students looked up to Jay Zimmerman as he stood on a ladder to conduct and gave him a thumbs up.

“That cooked Jay,” the student said, complimenting the young composer. 

As they paraded around Bronson’s Landing Saturday, Dec. 13, Jay Zimmerman’s priority was having fun. Every year, he always loves seeing everyone have fun, both the musicians and his neighbors. 

“That’s all that really matters at the end of the day because no matter how good the music is, how bad it is, the parents are going to want to see the kids having fun and supporting the community,” he said. 

Jason Zimmerman said residents are all smiles watching the group perform.