The district's talented student-musicians took the spotlight during the inaugural Sewanhaka Marching Band Festival, held on Oct. 22 at Michael J. Tully Park. The event brought together the district's marching bands for an evening celebrating musical excellence and school spirit.

The festival opened with the Sewanhaka High School Marching Ravens, who performed the national anthem before presenting their show, "We Love the '90s." Their energetic performance featured popular hits including "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "All the Small Things" and "Enter Sandman."

The Elmont Memorial Marching Spartans followed with "Caught in the Storm," showcasing selections such as "Where Have You Been," "Umbrella" and "Wild Thoughts." The H. Frank Carey Marching Seahawks then entertained the crowd with "Let's Party!" featuring spirited performances of "Hey! Baby!” "September" and "Crazy Train."

A special guest appearance by LIU Post's Unstoppable Sound added to the excitement of the evening. Their show, "MJ," honored the music and legacy of Michael Jackson.

The festival concluded with a performance by the Marching Knights of Sewanhaka, the districtwide marching band, which presented its 2026 show, "Eclipse." The ensemble will next bring the production to the 2026 New York State Field Band Conference championships in November.

The celebration culminated in a trophy presentation and a combined performance of "God Bless America," uniting student-musicians from all participating ensembles under the direction of Superintendent Regina Agrusa. The memorable finale highlighted the camaraderie, dedication and talent that define the district's marching band programs.