Hersey tops in music at Illini marching band contest

The John Hersey High School Marching Band capped off its competition season by besting all competitors in the music category and finishing second overall at the Illini Marching Band Championships.

“The crowd went crazy when they announced the music award,” said Hersey parent Krista Burke of Arlington Heights. “The music was seriously the best I have ever heard them play.”

Forty-eight bands participated in the competition on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the University of Illinois campus in Champaign. Hersey received first place scores from all three music judges, finishing second overall in its class and second among class 4A, 5A and 6A competitors. Local rival Prospect High School nipped Hersey in the overall standings, capturing the competition's grand champion title.

“Given how little we practice and how many athletes with consistent conflicts we have in the band, we were still within only a few points of winning,” noted Hersey Band Director Scott Casagrande. “The color guard was by far the most improved section in the marching band, and I was extremely proud of their progress.”

The music award at the Illini competition comes on the heels of Hersey setting a school and district record by qualifying 17 students for the Illinois Music Educators Association District VII wind and percussion sections. Nine Hersey students also earned spots in the IMEA jazz bands, tying Wheeling and New Trier High Schools for the most students selected for this honor.