Wheaton North High to host regional band fest
More than 2,200 student musicians will converge on Wheaton North High School this weekend for the one of the largest marching band competitions of the season.
Wheaton North's 23rd annual Falcon Marching Band Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, will feature bands from 22 high schools competing in three classes. As the host school, Wheaton North won't compete but will perform in exhibition near the end of the night.
"It's an opportunity to see lots of great musicians who really put their best foot forward when they're out there competing," said Scott Finnegan, co-chairman of the festival. "The variety of the bands is just amazing."
The festival has nine more bands than marched in last year's competition. Organizers credit the increase to the fact that the festival is the only show in the Chicago area on Saturday.
"We're excited that so many large bands will be joining us," said Jon Noworyta, Wheaton North's director of bands. "In fact, the list is so large, we had to cap the show and, unfortunately, turn some bands away. The size of many of the groups is also quite large."
Among the large bands expected to take to the football field this year are units from Marian Catholic and Lake Park high schools.
Marian and Lake Park both will be competing in Class AAA because each band fields 97 or more musicians. Class AA class bands have 65 to 96 musicians and Class A bands have 64 or fewer.
Finnegan said spectators can expect to see complex performances with impressive costumes and props.
"The bands take it to the next level when it comes to a competition show," he said.
All the bands will be judged on music, general effect of music and visuals, individual music and visuals, percussion, drum majors and color guard, organizers said. Awards will be presented for outstanding visual performance, outstanding musical performance, outstanding general effect and outstanding percussion.
Noworyta said the competition will showcase some of the best bands in the country, including several former state titleholders and a band from Davenport, Iowa.
"There are also several units who will be appearing in competition for the very first time," he added. "It's always a thrill to see them step on the field for the first time and give their all."
For Wheaton North's marching band members, hosting a competition is a source of pride. About 200 volunteers - including parents, students and alumni - do a variety of tasks during the festival, which is the largest fundraiser for the Wheaton North music program.
Noworyta said his Wheaton North band students are very excited about their exhibition performance, which is set for 9 p.m.
"Headlining is always a little nerve-racking because they work so hard all day and then have to 'turn it on' to perform," Noworyta said. "And we always perform after a band that's two or three times our size. So that can be a little scary, but tons of fun."
For details, visit wnband.org.
Falcon Marching Band FestivalWheaton North High School's 23rd annual Falcon Marching Band Festival runs 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the high school, 701 Thomas Road, Wheaton. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; free for children under 6 years old; and $20 for families with a maximum of two adults and two children (additional children are $5 each). Info: wnband.org. Here's a look at the performance schedule:SATURDAY2:30 p.m. National anthem2:45 p.m. Argo3 p.m. Waukegan3:15 p.m. Richmond-Burton3:30 p.m. Plainfield East3:45 p.m. Huntley4:15 p.m. Plainfield North4:30 p.m. Wheaton Warrenville South4:45 p.m. Batavia5 p.m. Herscher5:15 p.m. Alan B. Shepard5:30 p.m. Jacobs6 p.m. Plainfield Central6:15 p.m. Joliet West6:30 p.m. Glenbard West6:45 p.m. Lincoln Way Central7 p.m. Minooka7:15 p.m. Davenport7:45 p.m. Lincoln Way East8 p.m. Lake Park8:15 p.m. Lockport8:30 p.m. Marian Catholic8:45 p.m. Lemont9 p.m. Wheaton North (exhibition)9:30 p.m. Awards ceremonyFalse15241116This weekend, Lake Park High School's marching band will once again compete in the Falcon Marching Band Festival. A total of 22 marching bands are scheduled to perform during the competition at Wheaton North High School.Daily Herald file photoFalse