The 2000-2001 year got off to a rough start for the students, as they lost two of the finest musicians you could hope for.  First, Mr. Mark Humphreys decided to retire from Taravella in order to work with Bravo Music, a Japanese publisher.  Then, Mike Garasi, the band's percussion instructor and part-time band director decided to study for a year with Mr. Joseph Kreines.  Then Ms. Robin Sapp, the Orchestra Director, left for Orlando.  Replacing Mr. Humphreys and Ms. Sapp was Mr. Nikk Pilato, a JPT Class of 1990 graduate, and a former student of Mr. Jenkins.

    The year's show started off shakily as some of the drill had to be re-written after band camp.  In true JPT fashion, however, the kids pulled it together, learning the last few pages at the rehearsal before the Vero Beach contest, and still managing a respectable 4th place finish.  One week later, for the 20th consecutive year, JPT received a Superior rating at the FBA Marching Festival.

    For the first time, a new format was tried for the Winter Concert, an idea borrowed from FSU's "Prism" concerts, and it seemed to win over the crowd as well as the students.  The Orchestra, small but mighty, began to develop into a finely tuned machine, and went on to receive Straight Superiors at District Orchestra Festival.  The Wind Orchestra received Straight Superiors at both District and State Festival, as did the Jazz Ensemble.