Medina Marching Band wins state championship

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2021 at 12:02 pm

Provided photos: The Medina Marching Band closes out its first-place finish Sunday at the Carrier Dome.

MEDINA — The Medina Marching Band won the championship on Sunday during the New York State Field Band Championships at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Medina had the highest score, 94.75, among the nine bands in the Small School 1 Division.

The seniors in the band gathered for a group photo.

Medina’s performed a program called “Together Again” in a return to competition after the 2020 season was wiped out due to Covid-19. Medina also won the title in 2019.

Medina’s score on Sunday topped New Hartford at 92.40; Mineola at 92.25; Malvern at 90.60; East Syracuse-Minoa at 89.65; East Irondequoit at 88.45; Central Square at 87.50; Oswego at 87.10; and Mohonasen at 82.70.

Jim Steele, the band director, said he is proud of the band program. He views the band as a huge family. There were 50 bands that performed during the championships and each developed a program. Steele said they are all winners, no matter what their score, especially in these times of Covid and other budget cuts. These schools are to be commended for their persistence and dedication, Steele said.

This was the 15th time that Medina has won the championship in their class with the prior titles in 1982, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2019.

Sunday’s event also included the induction of retired Medina Marching Band director Joseph McKain into the 2021 NYS Field Band Conference Hall of Fame. McKain led the marching band in Medina from 1970 to 1999.