The Walt Whitman High School Marching Band takes its show, A Journey in Time, to Syracuse University for the New York State Field Band Conference Championships this weekend, October 29th & 30th. This competition pits them against not only schools from Long Island, but for the first time this season, schools from across New York State.
The championships mark the culmination of months of work that began in August. Marching Band Director Greg Modelewski says five months of preparation all potentially comes down to one or two days, and that makes it extremely stressful on the kids. But the intense preparations this week to get ready got them focused. “It really ties together the entire band knowing that these are your final preparations prior to the championships,” said Modelewski.
This year’s show, A Journey in Time, features a few pop songs fans should recognize that share “time” as a common theme: Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper, Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce, and Clocks by Coldplay.
Modeleski says the scores during the regular competition season have been so close that it’s a toss up right now where Whitman could place. For him, though, where they finish is not what matters. “In reality it doesn’t matter about our score, our ranking, because as I told the kids, all it’s about is putting your best effort on the field. If you did 100 percent on the field, no matter what happens with the rankings, you can’t be upset with that.”
Drum Major Victoria Pascrell agrees that this weekend is about so much more than the competition. It’s also about band traditions. “It's a very big bonding moment. We have a lot of senior traditions that we do. The whole bus ride there we have a great time together. So I'm hoping that the band really gets to know each other even more and that they all have a good time, and that we do really well in placement.”
One tradition took place before the band left. On Thursday night, October 27th, the band held its Parent Send-Off show. They performed on their home field one last time before family and friends, and then Senior class members were honored on the field. Pascrell wants her fellow seniors and the whole band to be very proud of how far they’ve come. “This has been one of the most fun, worth it experiences of my life. We made this our season, no matter what challenges we overcame. And I'm so proud of us as a class and I hope that we continue to keep this bond even after the season's over.”
“I am really proud of the work they did,” said Modelewski. “They’ve had a challenging show. They’ve really come together. This is one of the nicest groups of kids that we’ve had the pleasure of working with and as long as they leave everything on the field Sunday, I’m going to be a happy director.” Good Luck, Wildcats! Eyes With Pride!
The Walt Whitman High School Marching Band competes between 9 o’clock and 10 o’clock Sunday morning, October 30th. For more information on the New York State Field Band Conference Championships, go to their website. There is a live stream available from the JMA Wireless Dome at Syracuse University for the championship. There is a fee. Information can be found on their website:
https://box5tv.com/livestream/signup/k3Mfesoko?order-data=x2pc1tPT4moa
Home Show & Senior Celebration Photo Gallery
This year’s show, A Journey in Time, features a few pop songs fans should recognize that share “time” as a common theme.
The band and color guard performed on their home field one last time before family and friends, and then Senior class members were honored on the field.
Congratulations and best of luck in Syracuse, Seniors!!