Garden City Marching Band Looks to 'Ascend'

Ascent is the theme of the 2011 Garden City High School Marching Band production and the Trojans hope to soar to new heights at both the local and state levels this fall.

At 82 members strong, the GCMB is the largest extracurricular varsity club at Garden City High School. The band has entered many of the top New York State Field Band competitions, including against national programs such as Brentwood and Copiague, as well as perennial state power Mineola. The competitive portion of the schedule concludes Oct. 29 and 30 when GCMB travels to Syracuse University for the New York State Field Band competition, an event that attracts the top performing bands in the state.

This year’s GCMB production is titled "Ascent," the music of Joseph Curiale.

“Ascent is about the constant climb to the top, achieving your goals and never resting until you get there,” said Brandon Psenicka, band director at Garden City High School. “We are using ladders in the show this year to help depict the visual elements of the concept.”

The ladders are decorated to represent mountains and are used in two ways. “Soloists are climbing on them and playing or spinning flags. Also, we reset them in the show," Psenicka said. “As they are moved in each movement, the band is telling a story.”

In Movement 1, “Call of the Mountain,” the band is setting out on a journey west towards the mountains.

Movement 2, "Adelina de Maya," is a celebration as the mountains are set in the distance.

Movement 3, "River of Tears," represents a rest during the long trip as the river from the mountains provides life and direction for the group.

Movement 4, "Joy," brings the group to the top of the mountains as they complete their journey.

According to Psenicka, demands of the show include the following:

• 7 1/2 minutes of music/dance/drill
• Five different keys
• Six different meters in which to march
• 82 sets (positions on the field)
• Contemporary and Latin style music