Lincoln-Way schools to showcase marching bands

Area residents will have an opportunity to see all four Lincoln-Way High School District 210 marching bands perform during a Marching Band Showcase on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

The Lincoln-Way Central Marching Knights, the Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins, the Lincoln-Way North Marching Phoenix and Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors will perform their competitive field shows at 7 p.m. at Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort.

"District 210 is fortunate to have four outstanding marching bands that compete with much success throughout the Chicago area and Midwest every fall," said Lincoln-Way West Music Department Chair Steve Nedzel. "We want to show them off to the community."

"Our hope is that the fans and supporters of the Lincoln-Way Marching bands will take advantage of this prime opportunity," said Lincoln-Way North Music Department Chair Bert Johnson. "This event is for them."

The Lincoln-Way Central Knights will perform their award-winning show "Daydreams" while the Lincoln-Way East Marching Griffins will perform their award-winning show "Blue Cathedral."

The Lincoln-Way North Marching Phoenix will perform their award-winning show "The Path" and the Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors will perform their award-winning show "Ring of Fire: Music of the Pacific Rim."

"This Marching Band Showcase is going to be a great opportunity for our students and community to see our completed field shows in one local location," said Lincoln-Way Central Director of Bands Eric Wellman. "Our community has multiple opportunities to see our bands perform at parades and football games, but rarely has an opportunity to see our competitive field shows that take a lot of time, talent and effort to put together. It's going to be great to show everyone what else we do."

Even the bands are looking forward to seeing each other play, said Nedzel.

"Many times, our bands can't watch each other due to scheduling at other competitions," he added, "so it will be a really good chance for them to see what their peers are doing within our own district."

"The music programs in the Lincoln-Way district have a long-standing tradition of excellence," said Lincoln-Way East Music Department Chair Clifton Smith. "The marching bands are one of the most visible part of that tradition, and we are excited that all four schools will be performing in the same place at the same time. We'd like to invite all community members, as well as past and present Lincoln-Way music families, to come out and support the incredible efforts of these hard-working kids."

This is the first year all four bands have come together for a community concert.

While the event is free, spectators are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Frankfort Township, New Lenox Township and Manhattan Neighborhood food pantries.