SYRACUSE - While dressed in black-and-white striped prison clothes and chains, the Auburn High School's Vanguard stole third place during the state marching band competition at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse Sunday.

Nearly 119 students, some of whom also dressed as prison guards, took over the Dome with songs such as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Rescue Me” and music from the play “Chicago,” while several parents and fans wearing Maroon apparel cheered from the stands.

“It was a great show, the kids did a spectacular job,” said Nick Farrell, the assistant band director. “They did the best they could and we couldn't ask for anything more.”

The Vanguard came in 3.85 points behind Sachem North High School, who took first place, and 1.35 points behind West Seneca West Senior High School, who finished second.

Despite finishing in the top three out of eight bands in the “Large School 3” division, senior Aaron McCormick said the Vanguard had aspirations to win. After struggling with the “fifth-place curse” for several years, McCormick said the group hoped to one-up last year's second-place performance.

“It's my last show and I got the adrenaline running,” McCormick said. “I can't let emotions get in the way. We want first place, at worst second, but we really want first this time.”

As she prepared to take the field, senior Val Lynn, who plays the timpani, said that with five competitions under her belt this year and the amount of time practicing, she was ready for her grand finale.

“It's exciting, but its also sad,” Lynn said. “I am going to miss all these people. After you spend so much time together practicing and hanging out with them, it's hard not to befriend them.”

On the field, Lynn, McCormick and the rest of the band garnered the approval from their fans as they brought out props, which included prison bars, prop rifles, handcuffs, chains and guard towers. Two trumpet players even pretended to break rocks with their instruments while another part of the show featured an inmate who was attempting to break out of the prison.

Most of the props were even built by inmates at the Auburn Correctional Facility, Farrell said.

Bill DiFabio, president of the Blues Crews, which helps organize fundraisers for the band, among other duties, said the parents and the children should be proud of their efforts.

“I think it was a great show and we did our best performance of the year,” DiFabio said. “We did a good job. The kids did the best job they could today.”

Jordan-Elbridge High School was also scheduled to take the field later in the evening for the “Small School Division 1” competition.

Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net