The Drum Major for the Elk Grove High School marching band performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on September, 4, 1982.
Daily Herald File Photo
High school bands have not changed much in the last few decades, according to the photos I was able to retrieve from the Daily Herald archives. Some of the music presented by today's bands may be more modern, but the instruments used by the student musicians remain the same. There are woodwind instruments like clarinets and oboes, and brass horns like trumpets, trombones and tubas. And the percussion section always has snare drums, base drums and cymbals.
According to Wikipedia, high school bands started performing in the middle 1800s. Marching bands usually perform a 5- to 10-minute show during halftime of the school's football game. Often, smaller "pep" bands perform from the stands during basketball games.
The Chicagoland Marching Band Festival will hold its 49th annual competition at Wheeling High School in September 2016. As many as two dozen high school bands compete and are graded on their music, percussion, forum major, auxiliary and general effect.
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Elk Grove High School marching band performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on September, 4, 1982.
Daily Herald File Photo
The Elk Grove High School marching band performs at Soldier Field in Chicago on September, 4, 1982.
Daily Herald File Photo
Drummers in a Fourth of July parade in Mount Prospect in 1984.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chrome glasses reflect a drummer's performance in a Fourth of July parade in Mount Prospect in 1984.
Daily Herald File Photo
An unidentified marching band stretches curb to curb during a July 4 parade in 1973.
Daily Herald File Photo
A trumpeter checks on his bandmates during a July 4 parade in 1973.
Daily Herald File Photo
Percussionists on big kettle drums during a Memorial Day parade in 1973.
Daily Herald File Photo
Young musicians in crisp white shirts perform during a trumpet class in March of 1966.
Daily Herald File Photo
A trombonist looks down the row of brass horns at a band concert at Conant High School in Schaumburg in March of 1966.
Daily Herald File Photo
A flutist performs during a concert at Conant High School in Schaumburg in March of 1966.
Daily Herald File Photo
The gymnasium becomes a concert hall at Conant High School in Schaumburg in March of 1966.
Daily Herald File Photo
A trombonist is reflected in his instrument at Conant High School in Schaumburg in March of 1966.
Daily Herald File Photo
A lone tuba player marches in a homecoming parade in 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo
A row of white gloves hold flutes during a homecoming parade in 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo
The big bass drum seems heavy during a Buffalo Grove High School marching band performance at a Memorial Day parade in 1977.
Daily Herald File Photo
Today's bands also often have feathers on their hats, like this marching band during a Memorial Day parade in 1977.
Daily Herald File Photo