SHERBURNE – The 60th annual Sherburne Pageant of Bands began Thursday night, and with 30 different bands attending, the event doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

According to Sherburne Band Director Mark Manwaring, the thing that keeps the Sherburne pageant going is their ability to roll with the punches and make changes to the competition as necessary.

“Since I’ve been here, the pageant has changed a lot,” Manwaring said. Some of the major changes included ending the Field Band competition, which has since been replaced by the more popular Drum Line competition. Manwaring explained in the final years of the Field Band competition, only about three bands would compete, and the contest was no longer worth the cost. The Drum Line competition which replaced it is extremely more popular, with nearly all of the schools competing.

Last year, the Small Ensemble competition was introduced. Including small wind groups of four to 12 players, the competition was well received in its first year. Manwaring said another change that will be made is the elimination of the Winterguard Competition. “This year we will have Street Guard,” Manwaring said, explaining that nearly every band will have a Street Guard marching with them. “I think the band directors and the guards are happy with the change,” he said.