Our Philosophy

The mission of the Webster Marching Band Program is to develop musicianship, discipline, professionalism, responsibility, character, and leadership through the marching arts. With the support and dedication of our educators, boosters, and administrators, students will have the opportunity to learn, develop, and internalize these principles which are the keys to outstanding bands and exemplary members of our society. We use the motto Excellence through Class, Style, and Pride to remind our students and staff that we should always represent ourselves, our school, and our community with excellence. We seek to make sure our program helps develop well-rounded students who will be well equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the world post-high school. 🎶🎵

Our Motto

Excellence through Class, Style, and Pride!

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Excellence through Class, Style, and Pride! 〰️

Style: the essence of our band’s field show. We take pride in performing complex musical arrangements, including beautifully orchestrated pieces. Our style shines through in the execution of intricate drills. Audiences are captivated by the powerful music and the stunning visual presentation, a blend of precision and flair. Marching in a field band is a unique American art form that has earned us a very positive reputation. “Style” also embodies the energy and enthusiasm we radiate as we march in parades, stirring excitement and bringing joy to all who watch. Whether it’s a field show or a parade, we do it with style.

Class: the unique trait you display during practice, performances, in school, and within the community. It’s the vibe people feel when they see us, the Webster Marching Band, genuinely celebrating other bands’ achievements. It’s the quiet strength you develop as you learn and grow from every experience. “Class” is how you positively represent our Webster community wherever we go.

Pride: what you feel as you see your growth and improvement in the band. It’s not just about winning championships or awards, but about the commitment to get better. You’ll feel a deep sense of satisfaction when you know you’ve given your best on the field. It’s about being part of a team, working towards a common goal, and feeling that rush of accomplishment. “Pride” is the bond you share with your fellow band members as you perform together. It’s an indescribable feeling that makes every performance special.

Our History

Directors (1983 - Present)

  • 1983 - 1992

    Paul Maginn

  • 1992

    Steve Landgren

  • 1993 - 1998

    Paul Maginn

  • 1999 - 2008

    Richard Fisette

  • 2009 - 2014

    Brian Wilt

  • 2014 - 2018

    Steven House

  • 2018 - 2019

    Paul VanHorn

  • 2019 - 2022

    Jerbrel Bowens

  • 2023 - Present

    Brittany Cole

Field Band Performance History (1983 - Present)

  • The early years

    Paul Maginn was the first Director and created the Webster Marching Band.

    • 1983 - The band was formed as the Yellow Sweater Band and only participated in parades.

    • 1984 - The band continued to participate in parades.

    • 1985 - The band’s first year in competition. Webster won their first competition ever in Oswego, NY. Performance selection: En Sueno/Raiders of the Lost Ark/Jesus Christ Superstar.

  • 1986

    • Tuxedo Junction/Artistry in Rhythm/Somewhere Over the Rainbow

  • 1987

    • Spanish Fever/Somewhere/Tuxedo Junction

  • 1988

    • Crown Imperial/Slaughter on 10th Ave/Firebird

  • 1989

    • New World Symphony/Candide Overture/Appalachian Spring

  • 1990

    • Sounds of Autumn

  • 1991

    • First suite in E-flat/Variations of a Korean Folk Song

  • 1992

    • Russian Christmas

  • 1993

    • Polovitzian Dances

  • 1994

    • Performance Selection: Enigma Variations

    • Participated in the Fiesta Bowl Band Championship - Phoenix, Arizona

  • 1995

    • Performance Selection: “The Mass” by Leonard Bernstein

    • Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa

  • 1996

    • Performance Selection: “The firebird” by Igor Stravinski

    • Parade: “The Thunderer” by John Philip Sousa

  • 1997

    • Performance Selections from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst; “Mars,” the Bringer of War; “Venus,” the Bringer of Peace; “Mercury,” the Winged Messenger; “Jupiter,” the Bringer of Jollity

    • Parade: “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa

    • Bands of America (BOA) Grand Nationals field competition in Indianapolis - 10th out of 80 bands.

    • NYSFBC - took 3rd place.

    • BOA Western Regional Competition in Morgantown, West Virginia taking 2nd place in finals, sweeping Class AAA preliminaries.

  • 1998

    • Performance Selections by Ottorino Respighi: “Circus”; “Octoberfest”; “The Epiphany”

    • Parade: “Silverado” by Bruce Broughton

    • Fiesta Bowl Band Championship - Phoenix - Webster took 2nd place & led the Fiesta Bowl Parade. Awarded second in their class and second in marching.

    • Bands of America (BOA) at Morgantown. Webster placed 3rd in finals. Webster was awarded Highest Achievement Awards for Outstanding Visual in finals.

    • NYSFBC - placed 2nd in their class.

  • 1999

    • Performance Selections: Compositions by Ron Nelson; “Epiphanies (Fanfares and Chorales)”; “Lauds (Praise High Day)”; “Rocky Point Holiday”

    • Parade: “The Thunderer” by John Philip Sousa

  • 2000

    • Performance Selections: “To Tame the Perilous Skies” and “On an American Spiritual” both by David R. Holsinger;

    • Parade: “American Salute” by Morton Gould

  • 2001

    • Performance Selections from “The Red Pony” by Aaron Copland featuring: “Morning on the Ranch”; “Dream March / Circus Music”; “Happy Ending”; “Grovers Corner” from Copland’s “Our Town”

    • Parade: “National Emblem” by Edwin Bagley

  • 2002 - Defiance!

    • Performance Selections from Dmitri Shostakovich: “Ballet Suite #4”, 1st Movement; “Festive Overture”;

    • Fiesta Bowl Parade: “Children of Sanchez” by Chuck Mangione arranged by Ralph Ford and Paula Williams

    • Summer Parades: “Thundering Stars” arranged by Michael Klesch and Thom Hannum based on “Thunderer” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa

  • 2003 - Changes

    • Performance Selections: “Danza Final” and “Danza Del Trigo” from Alberto Ginastera’s “Estancia”; “Marsch” from Paul Hindemith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis”

    • Parade: “Children of Sanchez” by Chuck Mangione arranged by Ralph Ford and Paula Williams

  • 2004 - Three

    • Performance Selections: “Third Symphony” from Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copeland; “Third Symphony” by Camille Saint-Saens 4th Movement; “Third Symphony” by Randall Thompson 4th Movement

    • Parade: “In the Stone” by Earth Wind and Fire arranged by Michal Klesch

    • Played the half-time show for the Section V Class AA football championship on October 31st. Webster Schroeder vs Webster Thomas played at the U of R stadium. Thomas defeated Schroeder 28-26.

  • 2005 - Russian Holidays

    • Performance Selections: “Russian Christmas Music” by Alfred Reed; “Lullaby” from Gayne (Gayane) Ballet Suite by Aram Khachaturian; “Russian Easter Overture” by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov

    • Parade: “Thundering Stars” arranged by Michael Klesch and Thom Hannum based on “Thunderer” and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa

  • 2006 - If Only Life Were a Rhapsody

    • Performance Selections: “Hungarian Rhapsody #2” by Franz Liszt; “Romanian Rhapsody #1” by George Enescu

    • Parade: “American Salute” by Morton Gould

  • 2007 - Celebration

    • Performance Selections: “Procession to the Cathedral” From Lohengrin by Richard Wagner; “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa; “Dance Bacchanale” From Samson and Dalilah by Camille Saint-Saens

    • Parade: “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa

  • 2008

    • Performance Selections: “Does anyone know what time it is” by Chicago; “What are you doing the rest of your life” by Michael LeGrand; “The Unanswered Question” by Charles Ives; “Somebody to love” by Queen

    • Parade: ” September” by Earth Wind and Fire

  • 2009 - Seasons Under An Umbruella

    • Performance Selections: “Summertime” by Porgy and Bess; “Autumn Leaves”; “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copeland; “Dargason” by Holst

    • Parade: “Patriotic Melody” by David Hamilton

  • 2010 - Route 66

    • Performance Selection: Route 66” by Bobby Troup

    • Parade: “Patriotic Melody” by David Hamilton

    • Outback Bowl - Tampa, FL. We took home the Gold “Grand Champion” Trophy, Won Best Colorguard. Played for the Outback Bowl Pregame.

  • 2011 - Silver Screen

    • Performance Selections: “20th Century Fox”; “Robin Hood” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold; “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin; “Hooray for Hollywood” by Jonny Mercer

    • Parade: “Patriotic Melody” by David Hamilton

  • 2012 - Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot

    • Music by David Hamilton

    • Competed at US Bands at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Placing 7th out of 24 in Open Class Group III, also being recognized with the Cadet Award for Excellence in Design, Creativity, and Performance.

  • 2013 - To Catch a Shooting Star

    • Performance Selections: “Mars” from the Planets by Holst; “Jupiter” from the Planets by Holst; “Stardance” by Michael Sweeney;

    • Parade: “Patriotic Sequence” by David Hamilton

    • Competed in Large School 2 Division taking home Bronze Medal (3rd place)

  • 2014 - Delirious New York

    • Performance Selections: “Nemesis” - by Gary D. Ziek; “Noctune” - by Gary D. Ziek

    • Competed in Large School 2 Division taking home Silver Medal (2nd place)

    • Competed at US Bands Nationals at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Placing 6th out of 17 in Open Class Group III

  • 2015 - Kinetic Krossroads

    • Music by Steven House, Joseph Organisciak, Gary D. Ziek

  • 2016 - Autumn Sky Sketches

  • 2017 - Frozen

  • 2018 - Heart Strings

  • 2019 - The Journey

  • 2020 - Unbroken

    • COVID season

  • 2021 - Unbroken

    • Music by Jerbrel Bowens

    • Competed in Large School 2 Division taking home Gold Medal. NYSFBC Champions.

  • 2022 - Only Light Can Do That

    • Music by Jerbrel Bowens; Drill by Dan Campbell

  • 2023 - Our Voices Carry

    • Performance Selections written by Jerbrel Bowens and David Hamilton; “You are Strong”; “You are Enough”; “You are Worthy”; “You are Not Alone”

    • Drill by Dan Campbell

    • Competed in Large School 2 Division taking home Silver Medal (2nd place)

    • Competed at US Bands Nationals at Annapolis, MD in Open Class Group IV placing 1st

  • 2024- Death of a Star

    • Performance Selections written by David Hamilton

    • Drill by Thomas Sparling

    • Competed in Large School 2 Division taking home First Place!

    • Competed at Bands of America in Toledo, Ohio

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