Snow Delay Buries Marching Band’s Glory

By Larissa Lytwyn

For as long as Newtown High School music director Michelle Hiscavich can remember, the school’s marching band and color guard have participated in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade — the nation’s largest.

For the past two consecutive years, the band has even won first-place trophies for its performance.

Last Wednesday’s 90-minute delay, however, buried this year’s dreams under six inches of snow.

“The schedule is very precise,” explained Ms Hiscavich. “We had to be on the bus by 6:30 am and on the road by 7 am. Many of our students would be driving themselves in. We didn’t want to jeopardize their safety.”

The band’s longtime participation usually earned it a place early in the procession, typically in the third division. This made the early arriving imperative even more crucial.

The day before the parade, the music department, in conjunction with principal Bill Manfredonia developed an anticipatory plan for various scenarios.

“We decided we wouldn’t go if there was a snow day or delay,” Ms Hiscavich said. “We would only participate if it was going to be a regularly scheduled school day.”

Both the students and the bus company, Land Jet, were immediately informed of the possibilities.

“We have a great working relationship with Land Jet,” Ms Hiscavich said. “They’ve worked with us on a lot of trips we’ve taken to New York City.”

In the past, the school’s band, chorus, and orchestra groups have performed at places including Lincoln Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

“My kids were disappointed,” said Lou Ann Cardoso, whose three children have all been involved in both the band and color guard. “The St Patrick’s Day parade is a great event for band members to reconnect after the winter [hiatus]. It’s also the last big hurrah for graduating seniors.”

Another band parent, John Krause, expressed similar sentiments.

“This is the first time I can ever remember this happening,” he said. He believes that even with the delay, the buses still could have made it if they had left later.

“We were going to be the defending first-place champions,” he said. “It’s too bad.”

The band would have performed selections from the musical Cabaret, drawn from the color guard’s tribute to Bob Fosse last fall.

Ms Hiscavich noted the irony of this year’s would-be parade compared to last year’s experience.

“Last year it was beautiful, about 70 degrees out and sunny,” she said.

Freshman Amanda Krause has been involved in color guard since sixth grade. With the establishment of Reed Intermediate School, the guard is now open to fifth graders, too.

“I love being in the color guard,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of new friends, especially among the upper classmen.”

Amanda’s older sister, Nicole, is captain of the senior color guard. Amanda initially became interested in the guard after her family’s cousin became active in it in Norwalk; Nicole and Amanda soon followed suit.

“I’ve participated in the St Patrick’s Day parade since I was in seventh grade,” Amanda said. “I really wanted to go this year — although some people were less eager to go because of the cold. But it is always fun!”

Ms Hiscavich relished the two-mile march down New York City’s legendary Fifth Avenue. “There’s thousands of people cheering,” she said. “The response is excellent.”

Before boarding the bus back to Newtown, the group would usually converge for lunch.

“It’s always been something we look forward to,” Ms Hiscavich said. “But the kids’ safety comes first.”