Photos by Karen Fien
The Greece Central School District Blue Knights Marching Band began in 2003 as a parade band, with the goal of participating in local community parades. The band has evolved into an award winning competitive field band, traveling across Western and Central New York State competing on Saturdays against other New York State school marching bands.
Greece Blue Knights members are made up of students in grades 6-12, in the Greece Central School District, with all eight Middle and High Schools represented, and over 100 students involved in the band. According to their website the Blue Knights are, “A field band that performs a choreographed routine combining musicianship and athleticism. Shows last about eight minutes and are performed on the football field. There are usually 3-4 movements of music that tell a story, or are centered on a theme. The band is comprised of a front-end ensemble, including instruments like marimbas and large drums; the brass, such as trumpets and trombones; the woodwinds, including saxophones and flutes, and last but not least the drumline with marching snare, bass and tenor drums. A color guard brings it together by adding visual effects, dance, flag work, and rifle tosses.”
Eligibility to participate in the marching band requires the student be in grades 6-12. To play a musical instrument in this group the student must be currently taking a curricular program course at school, chorus, band, orchestra or theory. Chorus and orchestra students are encouraged to learn a percussion instrument or to join the Colorguard.
The Colorguard is made up of students in grades 6-12 in the Greece Central School District. A Colorguard performs a choreographed routine combining interpretive dance and athleticism, their role is to interpret the music that tells a story, or are centered on a theme. A Colorguard works together with the band ensemble. Students in drama, dance, gymnastics, band, orchestra or chorus typically join the “Guard.”
Each year the the marching band has a new theme. This year the theme is “The Seasons” with themed flags and costumes to represent the four seasons, kites for Spring, flowers for Summer, leaves for Fall and snowflakes for Winter. Band rehearsals are on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30, with Saturday morning rehearsals during the fall competition season.
The Marching Band season is April through October, with their final performance at the end of October at the New York State Field Band Competition held at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. This year’s final will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Brian King has been the marching band director since July of 2023. King has been a teacher in the Greece Central School District for 23 years, and is currently the High School band director at Greece Athena. “I have been involved in marching arts since 1978. I started marching in the drum and bugle corps in Fairport, and was a member of the Empire Statesmen Drum & Bugle Corps for 20 years. During these years I gained experience working, instructing and competing in a marching band. We traveled the world together, and gained a wealth of experience,” King said.
As Director of the Blue Knights, King says he needs to be a “Jack of all Trades.” “My major instrument is the drum, so I focus on coaching the drumline. I work to give the kids what they need through instruction, and encourage them to work in the moment so that they can become better on the field.” King is assisted by an instructional staff, consisting of ten adults. King also handles the administrative duties involved with being the band director, including travel logistics, budget, human resources, discipline, policy and procedures, and working with parents and the boosters. “I have been able to hire an instructional team that I call the Dream Team. They are people that give the students the best chance to achieve personal and group success,” King said.
Kristen Costa is the Director of the Colorguard which consists of 40 members who provide the visual support to the musicians. The Colorguard are the flag, saber and rifle carriers who lead the band with a choreographed dance, providing a visual interpretation of the music. Costa has worked in a colorguard since the 1990s, starting off in the Bishop Kearney High School colorguard. She was also a member of the Empire Statesmen, coordinating choreography for the band. She has worked with the Greece Marching Band since 2019, and is the Assistant Director of the band. Costa’s approach to working with the Colorguard is to encourage them to work together as a group. “The kids learn a lot as a member of a marching band. There are many life lessons including working together as a team and learning about responsibility. We encourage everyone that is interested to come to a practice and observe. We love new members, and there is no experience necessary to participate, we teach you everything you need to know. Dance and gymnastics experience is always a plus. Marching band is truly a “Sport of the Arts” which builds endurance and strength. I truly love it, that’s why I’ve been in it so long,” she said.
For the past two years, the Colorguard has had a Winterguard program where the Colorguard competes indoors all throughout the winter months. A Winterguard provides the opportunity to practice all year long and keep skills sharp for the Marching Band season. Costa encourages anyone with questions to contact her at kristen.costa@greececsd.org
Susan Stanton is coordinator of the fundraising efforts for the Blue Knights. Stanton is a former special education and art teacher. “Two of my children are in the band and I attend the parents meetings. I made several suggestions for fundraising, and before I knew it, I was put in charge of the fundraising efforts. It takes a lot of money to keep the band going, and we receive a lot of support from our community,” she said. To find out about the many fundraisers and other ways to support the band visit the Greece Blue Knights Facebook page.
The public is invited to attend the Greece Marching Band 7th Annual Marching Olympiad, a NYSFBC Show, to be held on October 21, 2023 at Greece Athena Stadium, 800 Long Pond Road, Rochester. Gates open at 5:00PM and tickets are $9.00. Six marching bands, from around New York State, will compete at Greece’s home stadium.
For more information on the Greece Blue Knights Marching Band visit www.greececsd.org/greecemarchingband
