The Cinnaminson High School marching band is 3–0 so far and looking for more
By Larry Henry Jr.
With plenty of sports and activities to choose from, high school students have some tough decisions to make.
The Cinnaminson High School marching band is looking to continue its climb to success on the competition field, in the band room and in the classroom.
Debra Knisely has been the band’s director for 13 years, starting in 2004, and has been a teacher since 2001. The Delran resident started at Lakewood High School before making the switch to Cinnaminson.
“So far, the season has been pretty good,” Knisely said. “We’ve had three competitions and placed first in each of the three. Our last competition, we won by 10 points more than our next competitor.”
Even with the early season success, Knisely admits that CHS “hasn’t seen any of the big boys from their division yet.” The marching band consists of 24 members, which includes members of the color guard as well.
“Ava Littlewood, April Schultz, Gabbie Stokes and Cody Broadway are our four leaders,” Knisely said. “They’ve gotten to learn quickly about leadership, because when you jump into these positions it can be tough. So far, they’ve done a great job.”
Littlewood, who plays tenor saxophone, has been a part of the band for six years, and 2017 marks her first year playing tenor sax. The senior has also played alto saxophone and clarinet during her time with the band, and enjoys playing in competitions the most.
“I just enjoy competing,” Littlewood said. “It feels good to see all of your hard work in action.”
For Broadway, the junior percussion leader, playing the drums has been in his blood. This is his 12th year overall playing the drums, and his fifth year with the marching band.
“Usually my schedule is go to school, then band practice, then eat dinner, then play some more,” Broadway said. “I like getting better on my own as well, and listen to R&B and rap music to learn some new techniques.”
With plenty of big competitions remaining on their schedule, the marching band hopes it can continue using others’ perspectives as motivation to succeed.
“The goals are obviously to win and do well, but we want to prepare these kids for the next chapter of their lives as well,” Knisely said. “We’ve been perceived in the past as a small town, but we label ourselves as ‘small and mighty.’”
The marching band has also prepared some of the members for decisions after high school graduation. Senior color guard captain Stokes is a five-year veteran, and labels color guard as a huge reason why she is who she is today.
“It really has helped me become the person I am today,” Stokes said. “It’s actually one of the requirements for the colleges I look into is that they have a marching band/color guard that I can continue being a part of.”
The marching band is a perfect 3–0 in competitions so far this season.
For more information on the CHS marching band, visit http://chs.cinnaminson.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=336434&type=d.
