Medina marching band competes at championship in Syracuse

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters

Medina competed with seven schools in the Small School 1 Division and was seventh with a score of 85.350.

SYRACUSE – The NYS Field Band Conference celebrated its 51st anniversary on Sunday with the championships at the JMA Dome (formerly the Syracuse Carrier Dome).

More than 5,000 high school band members participated in 54 marching bands, including one from Pennsylvania and another from New Jersey for 14 hours of competition.

There are six different classifications. Large school classifications represent districts with more that 4,000 students while small school classifications represent districts with 4,000 or less students.

There were guest performances by the University of Buffalo “Thunder of the East” and Syracuse University’s “Pride of the Orange” to show students that their marching band career doesn’t have to end after high school. An audience of approximately 9,000 was expected.

It was a busy week for the Medina students with lots of practice, a Senior Recognition ceremony on Wednesday topped off with a Dome Breakfast on Sunday morning as a form of pep rally.

Director Matthew Jaeger addressed his students beforehand with words of encouragement reminding them of their accomplishments from the start of band camp in August to their performance at the Dome.  Their success for the season isn’t measured just by their standing at the Dome, but by their overall growth in the season and how they represent the school and the Medina community.

The 1st place winners in each classification were: SS3 – Mahanasen  (83.72); SS2 – Phoenix (89.15); LS3 – Greece (86.92); LS2 – Hicksville (91.15); SS1 – Mineola (93.55); National – Cicero-North Syracuse (96.35).

Every band that participated in the Field Band Conference is a winner no matter what their score or placement in their class. Congratulations are in order to every school that sponsors and supports their marching band, giving these students an opportunity for individual growth as well as a life lesson in working as a team. Medina will begin preparing for their holiday concerts and spring street show.

Seniors in the band include from left: Chad Brigham, Emma Jacobs, Alex Balaban, Caiden Class, Elaina Huntington and Madisynn Stanton.