Marching Band ends with a flourish

Photos by Tom Rivers

The Albion Purple Eagles Marching Band ended its season today with a rousing performance in front of the home crowd at the Strawberry Festival.

The band has had a memorable season, winning first place in every competition it entered – in Nunda, Holley and Seneca Falls. The band also played in the Rochester Lilac Festival and traveled to Philadelphia.

The Albion band’s show, entitled “Heartbeats,” features love-themed music including songs by Queen, Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, and Elvis Presley. Effects include a 10-foot high valentine heart prop and a mass release of red, eco-friendly balloons.  In the top photo, the balloons are released on Main Street and fly high near the First Presbyterian Church.

Senior Ben Kirby plays the trumpet for the last time with the Purple Eagle Marching Band during today’s Strawberry Festival Parade.

Drum major and senior Brooke Chandler leads the band down Main Street.

The drum line plays in front of the reviewing stand.

The band makes its way down Main Street. Fifth-graders Lucas O’Connor and Annalise Steier hold the banner in front.

Joe Madejski plays the trumpet. The top of the First United Methodist Church shows in the background.

Students all wore decals “Mr. B” in honor of Wayne Burlison, the assistant marching band director. Burlison was 36 when he died from colon cancer on March 26. He helped plan the season’s show. This decal is on the hat worn by Char Olick, one of the drum majors.