Schools

Pride of Malverne Wins State Marching Band Championship

Malverne High School's marching band takes home the state trophy for the second time in five years.

The Pride of Malverne Marching Band travelled to Syracuse, N.Y., on Halloween and came home with a real treat-a New York State Championship.

The high school students placed first in the Small School III Conference, beating out 12 other bands who also performed in this class on Oct. 31 at the 2010 New York State Marching Band Championship. The competition was held at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, N.Y. Under the direction of Erin Lynch, a Malverne alumnus, the 110 band members performed a show titled "The Planets," from a classical work by Gustav Holst.

This is the second time in the past five years that Malverne has earned this title. The last win was in 2006. Last year, they took second place, losing to Johnson City.

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At an Oct. 12 meeting of the Malverne Board of Education, during which , President Dr. Patrick Coonan, predicted they would take home the trophy.

"I'm feeling it," Dr. Coonan said. "This will be the year."

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Michael Messina, director of music and arts for the school district, reflected on the win and the great teamwork the students demonstrated to get there.

"Winning the State Championship is a truly remarkable achievement," Messina said. "Our students represent the best of today's youth – a true melting pot in which everyone becomes unified towards one goal."


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