Hersey Sweeps Class 4A Honors at State of Illinois Invitational High School Marching Band Championship

The John Hersey High School Marching Band swept Class 4A honors, winning first place overall, and top awards in four other categories, at the State of Illinois Invitational High School Marching Band Championship.

Hersey also finished No. 7 in the state among the 45 marching bands of all school sizes competing at the 51th annual championship event Saturday, Oct. 22 at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal.

Hersey also was awarded first place in four categories: musical performance, music general effect, visual performance and visual general effect. Hersey was one of 14 bands chosen to compete in the finals, where it earned its No. 7 statewide ranking as the marching band season drew to a close.

"The show this year was the strongest I believe Hersey has ever performed and this last performance was definitely our best," said Scott Casagrande, Director of Bands. "I am very proud of how the students worked through the season and we looking forward to what the rest of the school year will now bring for these musicians."

Hersey's victory at Illinois State comes on the heels of the marching band capturing first place overall and in its class Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Red & Black Fall Classic marching band competition at Northern Illinois University. Hersey also received a first place award for Best Overall Effect in Class 4A.

The theme for the Hersey Marching Band's 2016 performance season was, "The Festival of the Rose," featuring music from noted composers Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Astor Piazzola and Georges Bizet. The musical selections are Alborado and Fandango from Capriccio Espagnol, Flamenco, Danse Boheme from Carmen and Libertango.

The John Hersey High School Marching Band consists of 150 musicians and color guard members. The Directors are Scott Casagrande and Tom Beckwith. Drum Majors are Katie Lundgren, Jamie Wiener and Asia Luboyeski.