The Pride of Port Chester goes classical, embraces wonders of the New World
August 24, 2023 at 12:39 a.m.
As a fourth-grader at King Street Elementary School, Kathleen Scarola spent several afternoons in her bedroom, practicing segments of Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, often referred to as “New World Symphony,” as she was learning to play the flute. It was repertoire assigned by her music teacher at the time, Mike Miceli.
“I forgot about that,” Miceli laughed, as Scarola recalled the story on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Now, she’s a senior Drum Major for the Pride of Port Chester, and Miceli is the marching band’s director. And that Tuesday, she reflected on the bittersweet, full circle moment she was feeling as she helps guide the band in piecing together their 2023-24 marching show: “New World Symphony.”
A smile stretches across senior Drum Major Kathleen Scarola’s face as she stands on top of a tall podium and conducts the Pride of Port Chester.By Sarah Wolpoff
“The music kind of brings back those memories,” Scarola said. “But it also kind of makes me sad because it’s my last year in the band. I wanted to be a part of this for so long, and now it’s ending.”
“I think there’s something special about this year for all of us because we were (Miceli’s) last elementary class,” added the band’s parade drum major, senior Thomas d’Esperies—a tidbit that also jogged the director’s memory.
The seniors in the Class of 2024 were the last class of young pupils he educated before he moved on to older grades in the Port Chester School District—it’s the last year he’ll reap “the awesome experience” of seeing them develop from children picking up instruments for the first time to expert musicians of adulthood.
Times are changing, but Miceli says that should be welcomed.
Brass riffs, drumbeats and the pings of an echoing metronome engulfed the air of Crawford Park this week as Port Chester High School Marching Band students embraced the annual tradition of Band Camp—a two-week involvement they embark on every summer to learn the year’s field show and prepare for their competitive season.
Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” is a renowned piece of work widely recognized as a tribute to America, the “New World,” and the range of cultures it encompasses from the perspective of a European composer.
“It’s about many things,” Miceli said. “It’s about the perilous journey to the New World, it’s about the diverse makeup of the Americas and the melting pot that is America; and hidden in the music is lots of different references to different cultural music.”
The classical approach to the marching band season vastly differs from the shows students have become accustomed to exhibiting, but at Band Camp it became clear that it’s a change well received. As junior Gabby Lopez, co-captain of the color guard, described, there’s nothing mainstream about Dvorak in the modern day and age. And it’s fun to learn more about it and introduce it to the community in Pride of Port Chester style. 
With The Pride of Port Chester’s Parade Drum Major Thomas d’Esperies (front) setting an example on the edge, a line of musicians marches in place while running through the music of one of the “New World Symphony” movements.
By Sarah Wolpoff
Miceli said the variation is purposeful—he wants to offer students new, culturally enriching, experiences.
“I emphasize, with our interpretation of it, this music is about the concept of newness and oldness and of new opportunity,” Miceli said. “The New World was looked at as a clean slate for a lot of different peoples, and there were a lot of positive things happening in the discovery of the New World, and negative things happening in the discovery of the New World. And newness is something we’re always going to have to deal with in life. So, how do you handle newness? Do you take the opportunity to try something new? Do you move on and learn from the past to make a brighter future?”
“When I hear it, it’s about new beginnings,” he later added. “We all at some point in life have the opportunity to do something new, and it’s not so easy. And I feel the music really depicts those emotions of being scared and brave and bold. And that’s what I want for these kids. I want them to not be afraid of new opportunities if they’re good opportunities.”
Students in leadership positions think that message is relatable.
“New World Symphony,” in its entirety, showcases an emotional journey, suggested Band President Jordan Orellana, a senior. And the movements can be interpreted in different ways—folks are bound to hear the excitement, fear, loneliness and courage at different points, all sensations experienced when making a big move or change.
Drum Major Keren Castellanos, a technical senior after excelling in course work and skipping her junior year, feels the show provides an inspirational message to freshmen, who likely have a similar juxtaposition of feelings.
“They were probably scared when they first came, they were probably nervous,” she said. “But now they’re getting into it, and then they’ll see as we start going to competitions the feeling of being on that field and performing in front of our families and everyone in the community.”
Color Guard co-captain Elizabeth Magana, a junior, demonstrates how to properly toss a sword to members of her section.By Sarah Wolpoff
Castellanos auditioned for her position because she idolized the drum majors of her freshman year. Their confidence encouraged her, and it’s a mark she wants to leave on the younger students of today. Sophomore Sofia Coyt, the third drum major of the 2023-24 season, shared a similar sentiment.
“Ever since middle school, I’d go see the shows and I’d see how they’d conduct, and it just seemed like a great, fun experience,” she said. “I love every single thing about it.”
Both said they were anxious when Band Camp first kicked off—a natural feeling as they started a new adventure, which they recognized their “New World Symphony” show encompasses.
With her flute hoisted just below her whistling lips, sophomore Scarlett Pimentel leads a line of marchers down the yard line.By Sarah Wolpoff
Seniors in leadership also feel a connection to the message; they’re preparing for their own journey to a New World, or a new chapter of life, at the end of this school year.
“It’s helpful for a lot of seniors to think about because we’re literally going to have a new beginning,” said d’Esperies. “I always wanted a senior show that I really liked and connected to. And this is pretty much it. I’m really happy about it.”
Orellana described how the concept of linking new beginnings and past experiences, especially as it relates to the Port Chester Schools music program, resonates with him. He remembers how band sparked a love for music within him his freshman year, and it’s a passion he’ll be taking with him to college where he plans to study music engineering.
“I feel like all the students like this show,” said Matthew Palma, a senior trumpet player who’s serving as vice president of the band. “The thing is, there’s a lot of wonder in the future and what it holds, for everyone. You go in not understanding what’s to come for you, but you have to accept it, right? It may be great; it may not be. But you’re searching for it; you want to know what’s out there.”
There’s no question that the students feel the complexity associated with “New World Symphony.” Now, it’s about getting everyone watching their show to understand it as well, and that will happen “if we play it well,” Palma said.
“With all the artistry, you can feel the music,” he continued. “When you’re watching the band, you can feel the emotions with the shapes they make as they march. But the music is what brings the audience into the show itself, you can feel the notes, feel the rhythm. Whether or not you can read music, you can still feel music.” 
With her flag tightly angled in the proper position, sophomore Sasha German attentively listens to instructions during color guard practice.
By Sarah Wolpoff
In many ways, conveying emotion is also in the flag-wielding hands of the color guard—whose co-captains, Lopez and junior Elizabeth Magana, are also grappling with the challenges of new opportunities.
Due to leadership reorganization, the color guard has been without a consistent coach in the weeks of Band Camp this year, putting Lopez and Magana in a position to pick up responsibilities—teaching younger students the art and choreographing the show.
“The guard is basically telling the story from a visual point of view,” said Magana, as both co-captains discussed enjoyment of the creative outlet they’ve stumbled upon. “We always try to teach expressions, too. If the song is sad, you express that with your face, body movement, and even flag positions.”
“New World Symphony” is recognizable, “arguably one of the greatest symphonies ever written,” Miceli said. Therefore, the band faces a certain pressure to perform well.
And that’s no easy task. The music is challenging; the drill is difficult. From the get-go, he said it kicks off at the fastest pace he remembers staging.
“I think our shows have progressively gotten harder each year,” d’Esperies said. “In the beginning I was a bit skeptical…but then as we did it, I was surprised that everyone was getting it pretty quickly.”
So far, Pride of Port Chester marchers have been stepping up to the plate. Whether it be due to agreeable weather or stellar leadership, this year Band Camp has been unusually efficient—as of Tuesday they had finished learning the entire routine.
The blazing sun is a Band Camp inevitable. But sophomore Mariangel Osorio, a tuba player, does her best to protect herself by spraying on some sunscreen during a break.By Sarah Wolpoff
“There’s a lot of power to the music, lots of neat stuff going on that I’m excited to show off,” said Scarola. “It’s been tough, but they’re up to it. With more practice, I think it’ll be great.”
“I’m pretty confident to say we’re going to have a great season this year,” Castellanos concluded.
Practice makes perfect. Over and over, sophomore Christofer Sandoval repeats the same section of a “New World Symphony” movement with the rest of the percussion pit.By Sarah Wolpoff
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