L-W marching bands prepare for new season

   The award-winning Lincoln-Way East High School Marching Griffins and Lincoln-Way North Marching Phoenix are back at work, preparing for the 2012-2013 season.

   Students are in the midst of their intense two-week band camp at Lincoln-Way North, building endurance and learning new music as well as field show routines. In June, they met two or three days a week to refine their marching steps.

   Lincoln-Way East students will head to Lake Williamson on Aug. 5 for their intensive training.

   “The students are prepared, excited and enthusiastic to get started,” said Lincoln-Way East music instructor Chris Mroczek. “I am very proud of them and the work they have done thus far.”

   “We have had an extremely productive summer with great rehearsals, wonderful lessons and lots of progress,” said Lincoln-Way North music instructor Kirk Hickman. “The students, staff and community have made this season very special already.”

   Students are required to learn and memorize a half dozen tunes, including a chorale, parade song, school fight song, the Star Spangled Banner and a variety of tunes that are played during football games and at marching band competitions.

   Students often practice eight to 12 hours a day getting ready for the marching season, which includes parades, halftime shows and competitive shows.

   “They know what it takes to be good at something,” said Bert Johnson, the music department chair at Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way North high schools.

   He credited the older students for taking a leadership role in the practice sessions and the younger students for having faith in their instructors.

   Parents reinforce the importance of practice, dropping students off each day and taking turns manning the water jugs so students stay hydrated throughout the day.

   “If we didn’t have the Music Boosters, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” said Johnson.

   The 2012-2013 Marching Griffins and Marching Phoenix made their debut at the Mokena Fourth of July parade, delighting spectators with patriotic tunes.

   Future parades include the Frankfort Fall Fest Parade on Sept. 2 and the Manhattan Founder’s Day Parade on Sept. 3.

   Both schools are looking forward to unveiling their 2012 field show routines to the community later this summer. Lincoln-Way East will perform its field show during a community event Saturday, Sept. 1 in the school’s athletic stadium. The performance will begin at 8 p.m.

   The Lincoln-Way North Marching Phoenix will perform its field show at the school’s Black and Gold Community Night, scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 in the school’s athletic stadium.

   The intent is to thank neighbors for their patience and support while students practiced their drills and music routines each day.