The Cinnaminson High School Marching Band has a long history of success since the school first opened in 1960, and has been fantastic in the new millennia under the tutelage of Directors Debra Knisely and Nick DiSalvio.
From 2004 to 2022, Knisely helped build the CHS instrumental program and led Marching Pirates to many victories, including winning the Cavalcade NJ state championship for four consecutive years from 2016 to 2019.
The marching band’s tradition of excellence has continued under DiSalvio, starting with its performance of “The Witching Hour” in 2023 earning a victory at Kingsway High School.
The Marching Pirates continued to earn first place in many state and regional events and a second place finish at the Atlantic Coast Championships promoted the band to the open competitive class.
This season started well as the marching band finished first in their competitive bracket at Raritan High School and won awards for outstanding music and visual performance.
“I’m enormously proud of the hard work that this group puts in week-by-week. This activity can be grueling, and the time commitment is no joke,” DiSalvio said. “The students of the CHS Marching Pirates put in the work because they want to be the best versions of themselves, and it shows in the improvements to their show each week.”
On Sept. 19, Cinnaminson High hosted the “Bands of Gold” competition that included 14 local high school bands, including Palmyra, Gloucester City, Haddonfield and Washington Township high schools.
“An event of this scale simply wouldn’t happen without our CHS Music Booster Association,” DiSalvio said. “From fundraising and running concessions to directing traffic and handling every behind-the-scenes detail, our parent volunteers stepped up without hesitation to make this home show a success.”
The CHS football stadium “played host to hundreds of talented young musicians,” he said. “The Cinnaminson High School Marching Band proudly welcomed 13 regional schools alongside our hometown Cinnaminson Pirates for a remarkable day of musical performance, teamwork, and school spirit.”
Putting on a great show for the local residents were the members of the Marching Pirates, including: Deshawn Miller, Drum Major/Alto Saxophone; Benjamin Jacob, Drum Captain/Snare Drum; Daphne Morrison, Color Guard Captain; Emily Herbert, Equipment Manager/Flute; Aidan Stewart, Clarinet; Shayla Haughey, Mellophone; Nisa Cabuk, Mellophone; Kyle Chomicz, Trumpet; Evan Robinson, Trumpet; Sumaye Sharma, Trumpet; Enis Cabuk, Trumpet; Michael Gilardi, Tuba; and Raymond Rivera, Baritone Horn.
Also, Liam Donovan, Front Ensemble; Kaitlyn Colbert, Front Ensemble; Ciara Haughey, Front Ensemble; Owen Scalise, Front Ensemble; Jared Lorenzo, Snare Drum; Aram Madison, Tenor Drums; Dorcas Togbe, Bass Drum; Theodore Meeker, Bass Drum; Lily Harper, Color Guard; Madison Trout, Color Guard; Dakota Mehlberger, Color Guard; Emily Bowen, Color Guard; Billy Preston, Color Guard; and Amiya Miller, Color Guard.
Mentoring and teaching these talented students are members of the band staff, including Director DiValvio; Luke Bakanas, Assistant Director; Doug Ferraro, Program Designer/Drumline Designer; Amanda Beard, Front Ensemble Designer; Regan Sobel and Renae Borgstrom, Color Guard Designers; Mike DeCesare, Sound Designer; and Chris Carl, Drill Designer.
Working together as a team the Cinnaminson High School Marching Pirates have been one of the best bands in South Jersey for many years, and the members are looking forward to regional and state competitions in late October as well as rooting on the Pirates at home football games. Indeed, it is a tradition of excellence.
Cinnaminson High Color Guard Captain Daphne Morrison strikes a pose during the “Bands of Gold” competition on Sept. 19 at the football stadium featuring 14 South Jersey high schools.
