by Owen Marchand, WTOP10-TV

Fall is an exciting time for the Marching Buccaneers as they approach the Syracuse finals. The Oswego High School Marching Band is gearing up to compete in the state championships held at the Carrier Dome. This is a huge event that is celebrated by both the marching bands, and anyone who loves a good show.

The music program at Oswego High School takes pride in music education and the arts as it is full of opportunities and has something for everyone interested in music. They have multiple bands such as jazz and orchestras, and even an annual “Festival of Winds.”

The months of September and October prove to be challenging yet exciting months for the Marching Buccaneers as they are practicing, performing, and then doing it all over again. On October 15 they competed in New Hartford, followed by the Central Square competition on October 22, and now they prepare for the NYSFBC (New York State Field Band Conference) Championships at the Carrier Dome on October 30.

In last year’s Carrier Dome championships, The Oswego High School Marching Band came in 4th place during show 3 (Small School 1 Class) with a score of 85. Every year thousands of students and dozens of bands perform a show in front of judges where they will be graded based on both their visual and musical performance.

The first Championship was in 1974 and only consisted of eleven bands participating. In the past years there have been around fifty bands participating and has even had participants from outside New York State such as Connecticut and New Jersey.

by Michael Allchin

Oswego, NY- Angela Russel is a senior music major from Richmond, Massachusetts. She has been very active with Oswego State’s music department by performing in choirs, musicals and acapella.

When she first came to Oswego State, she was passionate about broadcasting and journalism. She eventually switched her major to music because she knew her direction of passion had changed. She specifically had an interest in opera.

“I wasn’t really that great of a singer at first,” Russel said. “I didn’t really know all the technique and all the body you put into it and over the years I’ve learned so much that I just took all the repertoire that I’ve really worked on and shown how much I’ve grown since I started that song all the way up till now”.

On Apr. 8, Russel had her senior concert, where she performed many songs that showcased her opera skills. Russel was also collaborated with Vocal Effect, Oswego State’s acapella club where she is an active member of.

Aside from family and friends, Russel’s biggest supporters were Oswego State music professors Nancy James and Mihoko Tsutsumi. Both professors helped Russel improve her vocal skills and have not only transformed her into a better musician, but also the person she wants to be.

Russel plans to attend a graduate program where she will be able to continue her dream of becoming an opera singer.