SYRACUSE, N.Y. — More than 50 of the top high school marching bands from across the Northeast filled the JMA Dome Sunday for the New York State Field Band Conference Championship, the biggest marching band competition in the state.
The event marked the culmination of an eight-week season that featured nearly 60 bands performing in 34 regional competitions across New York. Sunday’s championship brought the finalists to Syracuse, where they competed for top honors, including the Governor’s Cup, awarded to the highest-scoring band in each class.
Bands were divided into six classes based on school size and experience, with performances running from early morning through late evening. Each 10-minute show was judged on music, precision, and visual presentation by a panel of ten judges.
The competition featured schools from nearly every region of New York, along with one from New Jersey, and included performances from Baldwinsville, Liverpool, West Genesee, Cicero-North Syracuse, Auburn, and others. Exhibition shows by the University at Buffalo and Syracuse University marching bands capped off the day’s performances.
Organizers say the event highlights the dedication and talent of thousands of students, staff, and volunteers who spend months preparing for the state’s largest marching band showcase.
Tickets for the full-day event ranged from $16–$25, and all proceeds help support the New York State Field Band Conference, which promotes music education and performance opportunities for students across the state.