Getting Ready to Roll Step

This year the Cranford High School marching band will grace the football field with "Journey of Man," an instrumental arrangement from the entertainment troupe Cirque du Soilel.

Band members sadi it's a departure from their usual repertoire. At halftime, it's common to perform familiar rock anthems or show tunes – music written for four-piece bands or small ensembles, then adapted for a variety of musical instruments, explained band director Daniel Chernosky, 36.

That's the reason why Chernosky – whom many students call "Mr. C."– chose "Journey of Man." It was written for a typical traditional ensemble rather than a rock band, meaning it doesn't need any translating.

"These instruments were already being used to perform it. It really sounds more natural," he explained.

Lori Joseph, 17, a saxophone player and senior in the marching band, said the third movement of "Journey of Man" is her favorite, an ending piece titled "Youth."

"It's difficult to play and moving parts are really interesting," she said, referring to the band formations that accompany the section, including one in which the entire drum line passes through the ranks.

That formation, however, can also be a little rough, Chernosky said. "Most people don't think of marching band as a contact sport." With more complicated formations comes greater risk of musicians banging into each other and into instruments.  "It's really cool-looking, but it can be dangerous, the process of learning it."

Drum major Julie Langon, 17, added that the band will practice that formation a good deal before the first show to avoid any mishaps. 

"No casualties on the field," she said, smiling.

About Face

Along with the music, Cranford's marching program, as a whole, has changed. For one, it's larger – swelling from 59 members last year to 76 this year. The color guard too, increased from eight to 12 members.

With the greater numbers comes greater optimism. Langon attributes the higher participation to Chernosky. 

 The band has gone through a revolving door of band directors, she said, adding that she hopes Chernosky, who has been here since last year, will be staying for a while.

"He has a grip on where the band's been and where it's going," Langon said.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The band has worked tirelessly this summer, Chernosky said. First he and Langon pored over the music.

"We analyze the chords and everything so we know what we need to work on with certain sections and certain songs," Langon explained. This was also her first year as drum major, which meant she had to learn how to conduct the band. 

"You're viewing it as a whole instead of just a part," she said of the difference between playing trumpet in the band, which she did for three years, and leading the entire ensemble.

The first week in August, Chernosky met with each band section individually. The second week, the band treated practice like a full-time job, practicing formations together from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At the end of the week, Langon said members are tested on how well they've memorized the music.

After the practice, the band continued to refine its act through a three-hour practice every Wednesday. When school starts on Sept. 7, the band will meet early in the morning at 7:45 a.m. and continues practicing through first period.

A music teacher for 11 years, Chernosky said he's looking forward to this season in particular. This will be his second year teaching at Cranford High School. 

"I think I'm moist looking forward to seeing how this band performs at competitions this year," he said. "I think upperclassmen will be stronger at competitions in particular."