SHERBURNE – This weekend, bands from 36 different school districts, including one traveling all the way from South Dakota, will make the trip to Sherburne for the annual Pageant of the Bands competition.
After 59 years, the pageant has grown and changed. Starting with just nine bands in 1949, the pageant has added different events, many more schools and changed the way they do the judging over the years, and according to Sherburne-Earlville Band Director Jeff Manwaring, that’s part of what has made the Sherburne pageant such a popular event. “Through the years, the pageant has changed with the times. The rules and competitions have changed to meet the needs of the programs in the schools,” Manwaring said.
This year, the pageant begins on Thursday with a new event; the small ensemble competition. Small ensemble is a competition for groups of wind players with no less than four members and no more than 12. The jazz competition began Thursday night as well.
– On Friday, competitions will begin at 4 p.m. The small ensemble competition and the jazz competition will continue on Friday. In addition, the colorguard competition will begin.
– On Saturday, the pageant will begin at 9 a.m. with the concert band competitions. The different classes will be held in different areas of the school. The parade competition will begin at 1 p.m. as the bands begin marching down the street. At 2 p.m. the cadence competition, which includes drum line groups, will begin in the stadium.
– The awards ceremony will be held between 4:30 and 5 p.m.
When asked how Sherburne is able to continually attract so many schools for the pageant, Manwaring explained what he thinks attracts schools to the pageant. “The pageant is important for the fact that a lot of bands can come here and get a total evaluation,” Manwaring said. “They can compete in all areas and the competition evaluates the total instrumental program. You can see where you’re coming from and where you’re going.”
In addition, Manwaring said students enjoy coming to the competition because of the excitement it has to offer. There are other band competitions in the Central New York area, but according to Manwaring, Sherburne’s is the largest of those and the oldest in New York state.
While the pageant is exciting for schools and students alike, it is also a lot of work for the volunteers and employees in the district. “This is a huge effort by a lot of people,” Manwaring said. In order to make the event possible, area firemen, school custodial staff, Booster Club members, tabulators and volunteers dedicate a lot of time preparing for the event and making sure it goes off without a hitch.
Last year heavy rain and lightning hit the area during the parade, so as a precaution, this year designated shelters will be available on the parade route in case of thunderstorms. With temperatures expected to top 90 degrees this weekend, emergency personnel will also be on hand in case of heat related or other emergencies. “Our biggest concern is the kids,” Manwaring said.
The pageant is free and open to the public. “It’s a great family event,” Manwaring said. “This is a real community effort. It’s a wonderful three days.”