The 1990s

The 1990's brought many new exciting changes to the NYSFBC. Participation from the downstate area increased. Bands from Copiague, Sachem, Mahopac, Tuckahoe, Port Chester, East Ramapo, North Rockland and Deer Park entered competitions. The National Class provided spectators with superb competition from West Genesee, Liverpool, Webster, CNS, Oswego, Jamestown and newcomers Arlington and Norwalk, Connecticut. Class AAAA was added in 1996 with Medina, Eastridge, Horseheads, Union-Endicott, Auburn and New Hartford battling it out for the top spot each year. Jordan-Elbridge, ES-M, Norwich and Orchard Park provided strong competition in Class AAA. AA leaders included Central Square, Phoenix, Southwestern and Baldwinsville. Top finishers during the past several years in Class A have included Johnstown, Marcus Whitman, Wellsville and West Seneca West. New bands, which provided good competition, included Westmoreland, Frewsburg, Johnson City, Northwestern, Pa., Lancaster, Shenendehowa and Binghamton. Other bands such as Victor, Mohawk, Falconer, Homer, Mohonasen, North Tonawanda have continued to delight the spectators year after year. In 1999 the NYSFBC reorganized their classifications to Large Divisions 1, 2 and 3 and Small Divisions 1, 2 and 3. Flashy new uniforms have added touches of sequins. Color guards have increasingly added daring maneuvers and demanding equipment work. Percussion lines have also added much to the overall show. Musical selections played by the bands have varied quite bit over the decade. Modern composers such as Robert W. Smith (Africa, 12 Seconds To The Moon and Dante’s Inferno) have provided fresh new music for the audiences. Selections from Broadway shows such as Phantom Of The Opera, Titanic and Miss Saigon have been popular as well. Classical tunes such as Firebird Suite, Russian Christmas Music, Crown Imperial March and old standbys such as Birdland, God Bless The Child and Beatles music have also been heard.

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