It’s not just football and basketball drawing people to the Carrier Dome. This weekend, music will be resonating through the Loud House.
The New York State Field Band Championships are back this Sunday, with some local teams like Cicero, Baldwinsville and Liverpool high schools competing.
Liverpool has been attending the dome event since 1980.
In 2019, they took second place — their highest score in 30 years. Last year, the championship was canceled, but this year, they’re coming back with a slightly smaller team ready to take on the competition.
“It’s a big arena and sometimes that can be really intimidating, but I try to think of it like any other show as much as possible. It’s hard sometimes because it’s the last one. I usually get pretty emotional during my last show,” said Ellie LaDuc, a Liverpool High School senior.
With the newly renovated Dome as their backdrop, the group is excited to entertain and amaze crowds at this year’s return event.
“I mean our commitment this year has definitely been through the roof. We haven’t had as many new members or returning members as we have in the past, which has definitely been tough to do, but the people that we have are definitely some of the most committed,” said Aidan Lloyd, a Liverpool High School junior.
There will also be teams traveling from Western New York, Rochester and the Hudson Valley.
The students will be judged on several criteria totaling 100 points, but it all boils down to music and visuals.
Tickets for the New York State Field Band Conference championships are available online and in person, costing $19 for adults. Masks will be required.
