Known for their passion, precision, and peerless performance, the Green Machine comes back from Syracuse as the powerhouse and pride of Brentwood. On Saturday, Oct. 26, Brentwood’s Green Machine competed in the New York State Field Band Conference at Syracuse University, earning seventh place in the category of National Class with a score of 87.
The Green Machine truly immersed themselves in this performance, beginning practices only a week after last year’s graduation. From the month of July until August, the band practiced around two hours a day.
Then, after a one-week hiatus, they jumped into the month of August with two nights a week of practice until the start of band camp, where the band practiced from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. for one full week.
“I was not used to such a long schedule,” said Anthony Reyes, a member of Green Machine. “But I enjoyed it. I was able to hang out with my friends who I have grown very close to. The nine hours didn’t feel like work.”
Practice consists of more than just playing the instruments; it involves working up stamina and physical endurance. Band members not only have to hold their instruments but also walk and lead each other around the field.
“I’ve never had to be so on point…” said Angel Gonzalez, drumline leader. “I must keep my time with the major, keep my feet in time, make sure I’m guiding, playing the right dynamics, because the people around me are always affected – but it’s thrilling. I love it.”
The director of Green Machine has received high praise for his servant-like leadership throughout all practices and performances. For years, Sitler has trained and directed the marching band to play in front of thousands of people. Joseph Sitler has been a part of the Brentwood marching band since 1986, as a member, instructor, assistant director, associate director, and – since 2009 – as the director.
“The way that he runs the Green Machine is almost like a sports team,” Reyes said. “He is efficient at what he does. He is dedicated and shows that he loves what he does. The passion he brings while teaching us shows and inspires us as band students.”
The director oversees what music will be played and the theme of the show. For this year, Sitler decided to perform a show on the elements: earth, water, fire, and wind.
The design team worked to find and create original music that works with the theme of the show. It decided to incorporate the hit song “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish and convert the chorus of the song to “what was I made of.”
Green Machine faced certain hurdles this year, with only 96 student members compared to the usual pre-pandemic average of 150. Another hurdle the band had to face was the rebuilding of both the color guard and drumline. Though the color guard more easily found its footing, the drumline seemed to have started from scratch.
The drumline usually has a goal of five snare drums, three tenors, five-man base lines, and a cymbal line. This year’s team only had four base drummers, one snare drummer, and one tenor. But overall, the drumline was able to overcome that issue and play to their absolute best.
“Green Machines’ performance in Syracuse was overall a success for Brentwood,” Gonzalez said. “Even through their initial struggles, the Green Machine was able to play one of the most intricate and beautiful performances since the pandemic.”
Green Machine is on pace to grow in members and maintain a strong foundation of leaders for next year’s season. This is important because senior members of the band play a pivotal role in the process, taking on the responsibility of mentoring younger students and helping them develop their skills and confidence.
“I had to learn how to be a teacher and work with students that are struggling,” said senior Karina Fuentes, section leader for front ensemble. “It made me more patient and creative on how to teach…. It changed my mentality on life, getting to enjoy every responsibility instead of seeing it as a job that needs to be done.”
Seniors like Fuentes are leaving Green Machine with pride knowing that they have played and worked their hardest.
“It felt surreal – it did not feel like it was my last time [in Syracuse],” Fuentes said. “It was like all my work for the past four years have led up to this moment. It was such a beautiful experience seeing everyone have tears in their eyes knowing this was our last performance, all of us together for this one moment.”
Click below to view a gallery of photos from the Green Machine’s home show prior to their Syracuse performance:
