Greece hosts high school marching band competition

Greece, New York — After a year lost to COVID-19 with zero performances Live high school marching band competitions are back.

Saturday night at Olympia High School, the Greece Marching Band is hosting the Marching Band Olympiad.

For students in the Greece marching band, these competitions are just as serious and competitive as a sectional football game. Eight high school marching bands from four counties will take the field at Olympia. Percussion, brass, woodwind, and color guard, the marching band has got it all.

Greece Athena senior Joshua Barron, the drum major, conducts the band.

“Everyone is super excited and I am personally extremely excited. Having a year off, it kind of makes you take a step back and appreciate it a lot more. So everyone is super stoked,” said Barron.

From its 2019 season, the Greece band doubled in size and is currently first place in its class in New York state. This is their last competition before the state finals at the Syracuse Carrier Dome.

“They have worked so incredibly hard,” said Nick Coirazza, Greece’s marching band director. “Again, I attribute it to the kids. I am very lucky and fortunate to be the director, but I get to stand back and watch the growth and the excitement. This upcoming competition Saturday is the first time for them to perform under the lights in front of their home crowd so it is an exciting time.”

Saturday’s competition is at 6 p.m. at Greece Olympia. Marcus Whitman, Hilton, Webster, Medina, Greece, East Ridge, Le Roy and Victor marching bands are competing.

Tickets are $9 and are available at the gate.