Cheshire High Marching Ram Band's SPIDER-MAN Link Up In The Air

(From The Record-Journal -- By Caroline D. Porter)

The Cheshire High School Marching Band and Color Guard are eagerly awaiting the big call -- come to New York City and be in a movie.

It's sure to be a popular one.

Ever hear of SPIDER-MAN?

Rewind to last week.

Cheshire High School Band Director, JOHN KUHNER received a call last Thursday night from a friend who needed a band to play in a filming of SPIDER-MAN 3 in New York. The taping was scheduled for this past week. The band was to play in a parade scene. Kuhner agreed after he talked to his band members, most of whom said they would cancel any vacation plans to participate. He told some students not to cancel planned trips to Florida, though.

Kuhner was offered the opportunity because he knows the director of music at the University of Miami, GARY D. GREEN. It's Green who knows the music consultant for SONY PICTURES.

The problem is that Fifth Avenue in New York City must be closed to shoot the parade scene, and Sony Pictures hasn't received approval from the city to do that yet.

Kuhner has been Cheshire High's band director since 2001, and the band has received numerous awards. Its percussion section also played with SHANIA TWAIN when she came to Connecticut before Kuhner became director. The band has also performed in nationally acclaimed holiday parades.

The band would perform the "Spidey" theme, assuming Kuhner gets a call back. Veteran film composer DANNY ELFMAN wrote the theme.

Kuhner is willing to bring the marching band and color guard this past week, which was February vacation, or to try to arrange for the students to go later if that becomes necessary.

"Next week, it would have to be the right day, if there's no other field trips or tests," Kuhner said. "Taking 140 kids out, it's something we try to avoid."

"While it's all very exciting, it's all very up in the air," said WILLIAM SHERMAN, President of the Cheshire High School Band Parents Association.

The Sony Pictures Music Consultant, SANDRA PARK, said it wouldn't be proper to pay the students because they are not in a union, but she said the studio could pay for their transportation and lunch, and make a donation to the band, Kuhner said.

Faculty memebers and the town historian were also excited when they learned of the possible performance for the movie cameras, Kuhner said. Some faculty members volunteered to chaperone the trip.

"We were at the right place at the right time, and available to do it," Kuhner said.

For more information, check out the band's website at RamBand.com.