If Friday's Spirit Night performance by the Norwalk High School marching band proved anything, it's that the beat truly does go on. With Chris Rivera taking over the baton from legendary director Jeff Smith, who retired after last season, the 150-strong Marching Bears seem to be just as adept as ever in both their playing and their choreography.
Spirit Night serves as the culmination of the traditional two-week preseason band camp, which puts the performers through a rigorous practice schedule, nailing down the finer points of a new routine before debuting it at the Hurricanes Show in Bridgeport the following night.
Mike Corasaniti, one of four drum majors, has been through it four times now, but his new responsibility of directing 12 dozen of his peers through complicated sets isn't easy. In fact, he was surprised how much more physically demanding his new position is.
"My arms are incredibly tired from constantly moving," said Corasaniti, who is also one of the best distance runners in the school and not unaccustomed to strenuous effort.
"It's a challenging program, musically," said Elisa Keogh, the band's corresponding secretary. "But these kids are all excellent musicians, and they're up to it."
This year's program is entitled, "New Era: A Journey in Three Parts," an appropriate title given the band's new leadership.
Though everything wasn't perfect at Spirit Night no dress rehearsal ever is the evidence is strong that Norwalk High's musical fortunes are in good hands.
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