Lancer Joust to feature largest-ever Lake Park band
Lake Park High School now has its largest band ever at 180 musicians, creating a few more reasons to look forward to the annual Joust Marching Band Competition.
The event, hosted by the band's auxiliary group, will feature an exhibition performance by Lake Park and contests with more than 20 bands from throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. Performances begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Lake Park West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle.
Lake Park band director Mike Chiodo said the Joust is one of the first opportunities of the season for all bands to break out their best performances.
"With all the new members it's really encouraging and this show will give us, along with all competitive bands, a good read on their performances so they are more successful later in the season," Chiodo said.
Joust organizers pride themselves on attracting some of the top judges in the country, many of whom are college band directors, teachers or professionals affiliated with Bands of America and Drum Corps International.
"These are people who are really experts in musical shaping, visual shaping, coordination and design," Chiodo said. "So if a band needs to change or improve something, they'll hear it from them early in the season at the Joust."
The Joust, along with Tag Day, is a major fundraiser for the Lake Park Band Auxiliary. Money raised from these two events helps offset the costs associated with transporting, housing and feeding the 180-member band and its staff throughout the season. This summer's Tag Day raised $18,500.
In addition to performing at the Joust and other local competitions, the 2010 Marching Lancers are scheduled to compete at the Phantom Regiment Marching Band Competition at Northern Illinois University, Illinois State Competition to be held at Illinois State University in Normal, as well as the Bands of America Regional and Grand National Championships at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What:</b> Lake Park High School Band Auxiliary Joust Marching Band Competition </p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Lake Park West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle</p>
<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $25 for families </p>
<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 235-7248 or lancerjoust@sbcglobal.net</p>