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Westchester Band Celebrates Role In Academy Award-Winning 'Birdman'

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. -- St. Christopher's Inc. in Dobbs Ferry is celebrating the multi-Oscar win for "Birdman," the movie in which their marching band, The Marching Cobras of New York, was featured. 

The Marching Cobras of New York.

The Marching Cobras of New York.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Marching Cobras Band Director Terrel Stowers and Assistant Director Kevin Young were able to attend the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre.

Marching Cobras Band Director Terrel Stowers and Assistant Director Kevin Young were able to attend the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre.

Photo Credit: Contributed
The Marching Cobras of New York, a band comprised of at-risk adolescents with a major contingent from St. Christopher’s, performed in the Oscar-winning movie "Birdman."

The Marching Cobras of New York, a band comprised of at-risk adolescents with a major contingent from St. Christopher’s, performed in the Oscar-winning movie "Birdman."

Photo Credit: Contributed
The Marching Cobras of New York performing.

The Marching Cobras of New York performing.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The band can be seen in the Birdman trailer at the 2:11 mark.

Photo Credit: foxsearchlight

The Marching Cobras of New York, a band comprised of at-risk adolescents with a major contingent from St. Christopher’s, provided the back drop for the acclaimed film’s final scene. They are shown participating in the pre-Super Bowl parade last February. Members of the film crew saw the band performing and took the opportunity to capture them in action at Times Square.

"Birdman," starring Michael Keaton, received an Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture, as well as Best Cinematography. Director Alejandro G. Inarritu also received an Oscar for Original Screenplay. 

To add to the excitement, Marching Cobras Band Director Terrel Stowers and Assistant Director Kevin Young were able to attend the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

“It was great to be there, and now we’ve taken the program and organization to a new height. Now, we’re part of movie history,” Stowers said. “I was able to shake hands with Michael Keaton and Director Alejandro Inarritu. And I was able to talk to people in the industry about St. Christopher’s and the Marching Cobras. They were so excited to know that we had a part in the Oscar-winning movie."

Obtaining tickets for Stowers and Young to attend the ceremony wasn’t an easy process, but through a collective team effort, St. Christopher’s was able to secure the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the two to attend the Academy Awards.

“The tickets were almost impossible to obtain as they were earmarked for other executives. But, once we shared the St. Christopher story, the rest was history,” St. Christopher CEO Dr. Robert Maher said.

In addition, the Briarcliff Manor Rotary Club along with its president Eric Lebenson, helped to fund the flight to Los Angeles and hotel stay for Stowers and Young.

The band can be seen in the Birdman trailer at the 2:11 mark. 

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