GREECE, N.Y. — Live high school marching band competitions are back after a year lost to COVID-19 with zero performances. The Greece Marching Band is hosting the Marching Band Olympiad Saturday night at Olympia High School. 

What You Need To Know

  • Eight high school marching bands are competing in the Marching Band Olympiad Saturday at Greece Olympia

  • Tickets are $9 and are available at the gate

Eight high school marching bands from four counties will take the field at Olympia. Percussion, brass, woodwind and color guard, the marching band has got it all. For students in the Greece marching band, these competitions are just as serious and competitive as a sectional football game.

Greece Athena senior Joshua Barron is the drum major. He conducts the band.

“Everyone is super excited and I am personally extremely excited. Having a year off, it kind of makes you take a step back and appreciate it a lot more. So everyone is super stoked," said Barron.

The Greece band doubled in size from its 2019 season and is currently first place in its class in New York state. This is their last competition before the state finals at the Syracuse Carrier Dome.

“They have worked so incredibly hard," said Nick Coirazza, Greece marching band director. "Again, I attribute it to the kids. I am very lucky and fortunate to be the director, but I get to stand back and watch the growth and the excitement. This upcoming competition Saturday is the first time for them to perform under the lights in front of their home crowd so it is an exciting time."

Saturday’s competition is at 6 p.m. at Greece Olympia. Marcus Whitman, Hilton, Webster, Medina, Greece, East Ridge, Le Roy and Victor marching bands are competing. Tickets are $9 and are available at the gate.