SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – The annual New York State Field Band Championships took place at the JMA Wireless Dome on October 29. The competition was founded in 1974 by six upstate high schools. It has since evolved, as the 2023 competition featured 54 high school bands from across New York State.
The competition brought many New Yorkers out to Syracuse with participating high schools ranging from as far south and east as Brentwood, Long Island to as far west as Jamestown. There are six different school-size classifications to ensure a more-balanced competition.
A total of 4,050 students took part in the day-long event but one competitor stood apart from the others. Andrew Lawin, a 16-year-old Junior from New Hartford High School, is a part of both his band’s brass section and color guard. Lawin has the ability to both play the trumpet and spin and toss wooden rifles in the air.
The New Hartford High Marching Spartans utilized Lawin’s abilities for the grand finale of their show, titled “Look Up.” Lawin set his trumpet down at the Dome’s 40-yard-line and picked up a wooden rifle that was hidden under a stage on the field. He then performed a 10-second spin routine, ending with a picture-perfect toss and catch to the final note of Adele’s hit song “Skyfall.” Lawin’s band members all fell to the ground as he held the rifle high up in the air to conclude the Spartans’ performance.
New Hartford finished third in its class, trailing Mineola and Roslyn who finished first and second respectively. New Hartford had been state runners-up the last two years and recently won its class at the prestigious Ludwig-Musser Classic at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s Giants and Jets.
The New Hartford band starts their members young, recruiting students as early as the seventh grade. At the age of 12, Lawin (then just playing trumpet alone) was named one of the band’s most outstanding marchers, an honor rarely given to a seventh-grader.
Lawin aims to help New Hartford advance further next season, as he will return for the 2024 competition in his senior year.