Some of the best marching bands in the state will converge on Huntington High School this Sunday for the Blue Devil band’s home show. The fun kicks off at 11:50 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the gate.
Few sounds can compare to those produced by a 100-plus musician strong marching band. Sunday’s New York State Field Band Conference competition will see performances by bands from Floral Park, Sachem, Copiague, Brentwood, Lindenhurst, Midland Park, NJ and Huntington.
Over 600 musicians and color guard members from seven participating bands will be on hand to entertain the crowd. Huntington’s band is one of Long Island’s largest, boasting about 120 musicians and color guard members this year. Band director Brian Stellato said the teenagers have worked “incredibly hard” throughout the summer and fall to prepare a show for competitions across the region.
The Blue Devil marching band is coming off of two first place performances in competitions at Brentwood and Copiague. Huntington’s field show is called “Americana”
Admission to Sunday’s show is $8. There will be plenty of food and refreshments on sale throughout the afternoon. Blue Devil merchandise will also be available for purchase. There will even be air grams for sale for those who want to make a “shout out” between performances.
“The 2017 HBDMB is rolling,” Mr. Stellato said. “After two successful first place competition finishes the band moves on to their home show week. The HBDMB members get to show off their program, school and amazingly supportive community. So much excitement and so much pride!”
Sunday’s schedule consists of the following:
11:50 a.m. Star Spangled Banner
12:00 p.m. Floral Park
12:15 p.m. Midland Park, NJ
12:30 p.m. Sachem
12:45 p.m. Huntington
1:00 p.m. Lindenhurst
1:15 p.m. Copiague
1:30 p.m. Brentwood
An awards ceremony is set for 2 p.m. with several VIP guests presenting honors to the top bands.
Katie Riley, Mardnie Mentor and Jamie Rosenbauer are the Blue Devils’ drum majors. Adina Kirkland is the field major.
“I could not be happier to end my marching band career with this band and this show,” Ms. Rosenbauer said. “There’s such an incredible energy this year and everyone has been working extremely hard to improve our show. I’m really excited to see where we go from here. I am so proud to be a part of this group with such great friendships and such dedicated people.”
The band’s student leadership also include flute section leaders Katharine Kitzen and Alyssa Befumo; clarinet section leaders Peter Ciccone and Mathew Hearl; alto sax section leader Nathan Gamboa; low reed section leader Meagan Malone; mello section leaders Adina Kirkland and Amelia Reilly; trumpet section leaders Aidan McCooey and Ryan Marques; low brass section leaders Kenny Fajardo and James Obermaier.
Aidan McCooey is the brass captain with Meagan Malone as the woodwind captain. Arashdeep Singh is the drum captain. Will Fallon and Nancy Glascock lead the pit section. Sofia Martinez is the color guard captain.
The fall marching band season will culminate the last weekend in October when the Blue Devils compete in the New York State Field Band Conference state championships at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
