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District 214 marching bands score awards in competitions

Posted October 08, 2017 11:00 pm

Daily Herald report

The Prospect Marching Knights of Prospect High School captured the Chicagoland Marching Band Festival's Grand Champion Award. Courtesy of Jeff Fister

Northwest Suburban High School District 214 marching bands have been picking up honors at recent competitions, including the 50th annual Chicagoland Marching Band Festival at Wheeling High School.

The John Hersey High School Marching Band from Arlington Heights won first place in its class and overall Grand Champion Sept. 30 at the Red & Black Fall Classic Marching Band Competition at Northern Illinois University.

In addition, the band received the High General Effect award in Class 4A. This honor is given to the band with the best combined musical and visual performance.

The Red & Black Fall Classic in DeKalb is co-sponsored by the NIU Marching Band and the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, a nationally-known group based in Rockford.

"Last night (Sept. 30) was a good step to be prepared for the state of Illinois Championships in two weeks," said Hersey's Director of Bands Scott Casagrande, adding how proud he was of the performance.

"We have a lot more work to do, but we are headed in the right direction."

Meanwhile, the Prospect Marching Knights participated that day in the Greendale Marching Invitational in Greendale, Wisconsin. The band earned awards for Best Percussion, Best Color Guard, Best Visual Effect, and Best Musical Presentation, and took first place in the Class 4A competition.

A week earlier, 18 schools performed at the Chicagoland Marching Band Festival, the longest running band festival in the Chicago area.

The Prospect Marching Knights captured the Grand Champion Award and also took first place in Class 3A and earned caption awards for Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Auxiliary, Outstanding General Effect, and Outstanding Music.

In Class 2A, the Marching Grenadiers of Elk Grove High School captured third place and the Marching Mustangs of Rolling Meadows High School earned fourth place.

The head of the Wheeling Marching Band Program, Michael Malek, who hosted and ran the festival, said he was very pleased with the effort and results for all District 214 bands.

"This was a special 50th anniversary of the Chicagoland Marching Band Festival," Malek said. "Each of the District 214 bands that performed had great success, and it was an amazing educational experience that was also an amazing fundraiser for Wheeling band."

Compiled from District 214 news releases.

In Class 2A, the Marching Grenadiers of Elk Grove High School captured third place at the Chicagoland Marching Band Festival. Courtesy of Jeff Fister

In Class 2A, the Marching Mustangs of Rolling Meadows High School earned fourth place at the Chicagoland Marching Band Festival. Courtesy of Jeff Fister

Wheeling High School hosted the 50th annual Chicagoland Marching Band Festival Sept. 23. Its marching band performed at the end of the competition. Courtesy of Jeff Fister

The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band was the Chicagoland Marching Band Festival's featured guest performer. Courtesy of Jeff Fister

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