Hersey named third best marching band in state at University of Illinois competition

The John Hersey High School Marching Band was named the No. 3 band in Illinois at a statewide competition Saturday, Oct. 19, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The state honor was among four awards received by the Marching Huskies at the 44th Illinois Marching Band Championships.

Hersey also was judged to be the second best marching band in Class 5A. The Arlington Heights-based school also was judged to have the second best percussion section in Illinois, and the second best percussion section in Class 5A.

"The band finished their competitive season on a high note," said Hersey Band director Scott Casagrande. "This was a very deserving reward for the hard work that the student leaders and student performers put forth consistently over the course of the season. I am very proud of their performance."

Fifty marching bands from across Illinois competed at the Illinois Marching Band Championships at historic Memorial Stadium.

The bands received first-, second- and third-place awards for their performance within their class and for their performance in the overall competition. Awards also were given for percussion, best music, visual, guard and drum major.

The theme for the Hersey Marching Band's 2014 performance season is, "What Makes a True Warrior? A Question for the Common Man." The musical selections include Homage to Perotin, Three Japanese Dances, Xerxes and Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man.

The John Hersey High School Marching Band consists of 150 musicians and color guard members. The director is Scott Casagrande. Drum Majors are Maribeth Broms, Paul Kim and Angela Kucharski.