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the new lenox patriot | November 7, 2019 | 3
LW Marching Band
celebrates achievements
Carly Styka, Editorial Intern
Members of the Lincoln-
Way Marching Band, their
families and staff gathered
in the Performing Arts Center
at Lincoln-Way West on
Oct. 30 to honor the band’s
achievements over the past
year and to acknowledge
the individuals involved
with the band.
Bert Johnson, Lincoln-
Way East music department
chair and band director,
spoke to the students and
told them what is really being
celebrated.
“Kids, that applause is
for you. Everything tonight
is about your success,”
Johnson said.
The LWMB, with 196
students from all three Lincoln-Way
schools, has had
a successful season. The
band was crowned Grand
Champion in the finals
competition for the second
year in a row at the Illinois
State Marching Band
Championship held at Illinois
State University. This
competition pits the best
bands in the state against
each other in a preliminary
and finals format. The band
also placed second in the
preliminary competition
and won for Best Music and
Best Visual.
“We have always had to
work hard to get where we
are, and two years in a row
is remarkable for any school
because it’s just so rare,”
Johnson said. “There’s only
four schools that ever won
that championship.”
LWMB placed third in
the preliminary competition
in its class and fourth in the
finals at the Bands of America
Super Regionals in Indianapolis,
a competition between
more than 85 bands.
The band placed in class
4A, which is where larger
bands and past championship
winners have placed
previously. Although placing
and winning these competitions
is important, it is
not the main focus.
“It’s not really about how
we place; it’s about if we
did our best. That’s all it’s
about,” Johnson said.
Johnson invited the drum
majors of LWMB on stage
to present the Grand Champion
trophy to Superintendent
Scott Tingley.
Lincoln-Way West music
chairman and band director
Justin Barnish described
the first-place win as a
“huge achievement,” but
the awards are only a small
part of what makes the band
successful.
“We try not to focus too
much on the competitive aspect
of it. We want to focus
more on making ourselves
better and putting our best
foot forward,” Barnish said.
Another major accomplishment
of the band was
being accepted to perform
at the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving
Parade in New York
City. Consolidating the
small individual bands of
each Lincoln-Way school
into one large band in 2016
enabled it to participate in
national parades and events.
“The Lincoln-Way community
is one of the most
supportive communities of
the fine arts I’ve ever experienced,”
Barnish said. “To
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2
The seniors of the Lincoln-Way Marching Band pose for a group photo Oct. 30 at
Lincoln-Way West High School during the recognition ceremony for the band’s
achievements of the past year. Carly Styka/22nd Century Media
be able to be a part of that
community and be a part of
the excitement of the success
of the marching band
has been something special.”
The band’s achievements
were made possible by the
members’ hard work and
perseverance.
“It’s a significant time
commitment, but if you ask
any of the students, they
will tell you it’s worth every
minute to have the experiences
they’ve had in the
marching band,” Barnish
said.
This seemed to ring true
as the students cheered
throughout the celebration.
Students watched a photo
montage of the season’s
best moments and a video
of a LWMB performance
during this season’s competition
with glowing commentary
from the judges.
Johnson thanked each
group involved with the
band, such as the student
leaders, crew, parents and
bus drivers. The seniors
were acknowledged invited
on stage to receive an
award.
To close out the night,
the seniors led the crowd in
singing LW’s alma mater.
“This is the best Lincoln-
Way band we’ve ever had,”
Johnson said.
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