Gregg Norris is a graduate of Cazenovia High School, who did his student teaching at Sidney in 1984 while an undergraduate at Hartwick College. Upon his 1984 graduation with a bachelor's degree in music education, Gregg was soon hired at Sidney to replace longtime high school band director Otis Atkins in January 1985.

While pursuing his requisite master's degree (1991, from Binghamton University), Gregg sought to resurrect a struggling school-wide music program. He established a curriculum for ensembles and instruments alike and set new, loftier goals. Soon, the marching band returned to prominence and concert and jazz bands became well-known and respected at festivals and competitions.

With this proactive music discipline came opportunity. Sidney students have always been encouraged to expand their horizons. In his 37-plus years at Sidney, Gregg has planned all phases of travel for his musicians to play: exchange concerts as far away as Canada; concert and jazz festivals and trips to Walt Disney World, the Apollo Theater, Berklee College of Music and numerous New York State venues; and, this year, Gregg will take his jazz band to perform in New Orleans.

Countless alumni have gone on to become music professionals, yet many former music students who pursued other careers still recognize the value of their musical roots at Sidney. Of special note is Gregg's three times being honored (2004, '08, '10) by top Sidney seniors with the Daniel B. Swift Scholar Recognition Mentor Award.

Along the way, Gregg Norris has given his talents to the wider community, acting and playing in the pit orchestra for Tri-Town Theatre shows, acting as music director for school musicals and, in 1997, chartering the Tri-Music Honor Society. Since 2017, Tri-M students have participated in the "Adopt-A-Highway" program, cleaning trash from a one-mile stretch of Route 8 twice annually. Gregg pitches in there, too. Music education has been Gregg's lifelong goal and jazz his passion. Beyond writing the syllabus for each performing group and instrument at Sidney, Gregg helped rewrite and edit the jazz trombone guidelines for solo adjudication under the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). He also teaches brass methods for student music teachers at Hartwick and leads the Hartwick Jazz Ensemble. He has allowed Sidney High School students to join this ensemble.

As a final tribute, this Memorial Day Weekend will see a "Norris Tribute" show. Alumni will join students for concert band and jazz band performances, organized by Gregg himself. Twelve individuals – from administrators to NYSSMA personnel, to parents, to former students - have written glowing referrals for Greg Norris' induction into the Sidney Wall of Fame