This past Saturday started early for more than 30 of our band students when
they gathered to head out to the fifth annual Syracuse University Band
Day. High school bands across New York are invited to perform with
the SU Marching Band – the "Pride of the Orange" – at halftime at
this annual event. SU's Band Day coincided with both Military
Appreciation Day and the ceremony to retire Joe Morris' legendary No. 47
jersey. It had been 2 years since Greene participated, and with many new
members, it was a first time for most. It was a busy day for the students who
joined GCS band director Heather Kriesel, assisted by drum majors Vicki Fleury
and Mikaela Sepulveda-Kiefer. As soon as they got off the bus in Syracuse, students were ushered to
the turf of the Carrier Dome for sectional rehearsals with the SUMB. This was
followed by a dress rehearsal, which gave our students the experience of
working with the college marching band and the 42nd Infantry
Division military band. After rehearsal, students were released for lunch
and pre-game festivities on “the Quad”. These included watching the
drum-line warm up, and a pre-game performance by the marching band on the steps
of Hendricks chapel. The students then got to enjoy the first half of the
game before the main event: joining the SU marching band and military band on
the field during half time. Color Guard members performed with the bands,
as well, adding green to the orange on the field.
During the game and at half-time various branches of the Armed Forces
were celebrated at the 8th annual Military Appreciation Day. Local
service members were introduced, and active military personnel, veterans, and
families were eligible for complimentary tickets through the 'Cuse for the
Troops program, who sponsor tickets for active and retired military
members. Following the retirement ceremony at half-time, the SUMB and guests
performed the anthem of each branch of service, in addition to a segment of
Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”, and “Sing, Sing, Sing”.
Students returned home after 10:00 following a long day. They
enjoyed participating in the spectacle, and were impressed by the skill in
music and dynamic formations shown by the SUMB. We'd like to thank again those
in the community who supported our barbecue this summer, in particular the
Moore Memorial Library for hosting our fundraising event. That event just
about paid the cost of our participation in the Band Day activities this year
at SU, providing this experience at NO COST to the students!