Port Chester Marching Band Wins Silver Medal At National Championship

PORT CHESTER, NY — Port Chester High School's marching band already enjoys an esteem among Hudson Valley schools, but a silver medal performance at the national championships is just icing on the cake.

The Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District announced that the Port Chester High School Marching Band won second place in the USBands Class 5A National Championships, held in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 5.

Under the leadership of band director Michael Miceli, the 152-member band scored a 91.6.

"The band members were in great spirits as they marched onto the field for competition," Miceli said. "Our drum beat resonated through the stadium to announce our epic arrival. Our show, entitled 'Espana,' was a crowd favorite with loud energy and sensitive passion."

Miceli said the judges were impressed with the band’s great dynamic shaping and trained technique and the dancers' commanding presence.

"The musicians got the crowd cheering," he said. "We're all very proud of the students, and many thanks to the staff and parents who helped out all year."

Miceli added that the students' performance marked the program’s 90 years of performing, with the high school band’s first appearance being held on Nov. 5, 1932.

"We had been celebrating the countdown to this date, and the students had a prepared look of confidence in their eyes, as if 90 generations of band members were cheering them on in spirit," he said.