Lincoln-Way Marching Band Named 2018 Grand Champions

NORMAL, IL — The Lincoln-Way Marching Band was named 2018 Grand Champions at the State of Illinois Marching Band Championships over the weekend, beating out 50 other musical squads at the competition at Illinois State University in Normal. This is the fourth time in its history that Lincoln-Way High School District 210 has earned that honor, and it's the first time the band — which includes musicians from the district's three schools — has hoisted the trophy aloft since 2008.

Along with the Grand Champion title, the marching band also placed first in Class 6A, and it won caption awards for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Crowd Appeal.

"It is hard to quantify the truly exceptional season that this has been," said co-director Justin Barnish, alluding to the marching band being selected to participate in the upcoming Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California.

"As directors, coaches and teachers, we are all filled with joy to see our students excel in their chosen crafts," said Cary Ruklic, who joins Barnish, Bert Johnson and Chris Mroczek in leading the district-wide band. "Watching the students’ performance Saturday night was as fulfilling as it gets."

The band's next competition is this weekend at the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis. A reception to celebrate the marching band's achievements this summer will be at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Lincoln-Way East High School.

Photos via Lincoln-Way High School District 210