The Sewanhaka Central High School District community enjoyed front-row seats to a memorable performance by the district’s award-winning competitive marching band, the Marching Knights of Sewanhaka, during the board of education meeting held at Floral Park Memorial High School on Nov. 25.
Before the performance, Ex Officio student board member Jasmine Chen, a junior at Floral Park Memorial, opened the meeting with districtwide highlights from the fall semester as part of the student’s monthly report.
Following the superintendent’s report, Superintendent of Schools Regina Agrusa introduced the marching band. Under the direction of Floral Park Memorial Chairperson of Music John Smykowski and music educator and band leader Matthew Povolny, the band began practices in August, dedicating themselves to mastering the music, choreography and field formations. Their successful season culminated at the New York State Field Band Conference in Syracuse, where they earned second place in the Large School 3 Division with a final score of 80.950. This marks the fourth competitive season where the Marching Knights of Sewanhaka scored an 80 or higher during championships. This year’s show, “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” featured intense music as the group searched for buried treasures.
“This success does not happen by chance, it is a result of a collective commitment by our students, instructors and the incredible parents that have supported this group of musicians,” Ms. Agrusa said.
Filling both the aisles and the stage, the marching band delivered their championship show to an enthusiastic audience and earned a well-deserved standing ovation.
