The Webster Marching Band’s annual Autumn Fanfare takes place this Saturday Oct. 9, and it’s something you really don’t want to miss.
I attended my first Autumn Fanfare in 2018, which is kind of embarrassing to admit since this year marks the band’s 35th annual Fanfare. But I’d heard so much about it, and mentioned it in my blog countless times, so I decided I really needed to see it for myself.
And let me tell you, it was outstanding.
Autumn Fanfare is what the Marching Band — the “Pride of Webster” — calls the field show and competition it hosts every year around this time. Bands from all over the Rochester area come together for an evening of musical performance. Each band crafts a different presentation each year to showcase its musical and marching skills. But these perfomances also include lots of theatrics, complete with elaborate set pieces and detailed story lines. (Click here to read the post-performance blog I wrote in 2018.)
This year’s Pride of Webster theme is “Unbroken.” The press release explained,
Often in our lives, we find ourselves trapped in a routine/repetitive cycle with no end in sight. Within the vicious cycle, we experience anger, sadness, and self-doubt. The fight to break free from the cycle can be heard in movements one and two. However, when we finally break that cycle we will be free to be who we want to be and we will come out of that cycle unbroken.
Webster’s performance begins at 6:26 p.m., and will include original music written by Band Director and Music Arranger Jerbrel Bowens. The show will also welcome marching band competitors from Greece, East Irondequoit, Medina, Lancaster, and Victor.
Autumn Fanfare will take place at the Webster Schroeder Stadium, 875 Ridge Road. Gates open at 5 p.m., the National Anthem will play at 6 p.m., and the first band will take the field at 6:15 p.m. The evening will conclude with recognition of the Webster Marching Band seniors and awards.
I should add that I just found out that the Pride of Webster is currently ranked #1 IN THE STATE in their class! That’s how good these musicians are.
Tickets are $7 in advance, available at Hegedorn’s, and $9 at the door. It’s a great evening out for the whole family.
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We were privileged to enjoy over 10 years of these shows as grandparents of three members of WMB and one very active daughter of its Friends group. Both are amazing organizations with admirable values and work ethics. And yes, along with the staff, present shows like no other.