By: Gabriel Franco
The Pride of Port Chester has earned their first victory in the 2023 marching season, winning first place at West Milford High School this past Saturday. Though the marching band faced no competitors from their division, the band was able to improve their score from their previous competition.
Port Chester received a score of 75.1 at their West Milford, New Jersey show on Saturday,
September 30. The band climbed up a well earned 2 points from the 73.2 at the first competition two weeks prior.
Week three of the band’s season saw an additional performance at the Sunday afternoon Port Chester Fire Department’s 200th anniversary parade. The band marched down Westchester Avenue alongside a multitude of other musical marching groups, in addition to firetrucks trailing behind them. The band played their bouncy parade tune, “A Patriotic Salute.”
The day prior, the band had dealt with a stormy practice at King Street School, while having been forced to play inside the gymnasium. Despite this hindrance, the band continued to rehearse in the not so spacious environment. However, this minor setback did not break the members’ spirits, as they worked to polish their music and visuals.
Through the poor weather conditions and limited space, the band pushed their limits and were able to get substantial work done. The less than optimal driving conditions had caused an increase in traffic, delaying the band’s arrival in New Milford. This left the band with little to no time to warm up and prepare for the show.
Against all odds, the band arrived in West Milford to a hot and sunny sky and left the competition improvin-g from their previous score. improved despite the weather, while learning their weaknesses and how they can improve.
The West Milford competition marks the band’s halfway point in the season, with more important competitions remaining such as regional and national championships. This upcoming Saturday on October 7th the band will be playing at Metlife Stadium. The Pride of Port Chester races the clock as they try to better their show before these upcoming competitions, hoping to do better than last year’s second place performance at nationals.