HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Several local high schools gathered in Horseheads on Saturday to show off their skills in a marching band competition.
Music filled the air around the Horseheads High School as students gave it their all on the field. Bands from Union-Endicott, Jordan-Eldridge, Vestal, Corning, Painted Post, and Horseheads competed, and performed elaborate sets in front of a panel of judges.
Participiants say marching band brings students and the community together.
"It's really great to see so many kids participating in the marching band world. It's such a great community, not only with their friends, but also the community, that we have support from Everyone outside of the school district, from all around the state, and it's really a beautiful niche of music-loving folks," said Giancarlo Levano, the director of the Horseheads High School marching band.
"Over time you don't really see the progress being made. It's something that like week by week, you always just see the same thing over and over. But when you see the recordings between our first show versus this show, it's absolutely amazing the difference we've made and how far we've come regarding our music and our marching technique," said Santiago, the drum major in the the Horseheads marching band.
"There's other drum majors who are just as passionate about it as I am. There's other people who love it as much as we do. I mean it's amazing being with other schools and seeing the other students. We go to retreats and we get to talk to the drum majors and just hearing how they feel about band and all that as a whole and how we feel the same way, it's just a great connection between schools," said Avi, a member of the Horseheads marching band.
There are several divisions, and the winners from each division goes on to compete later this month at the New York State Field Band Championships at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.