Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors Begin New Season

The award-winning Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors have begun their 2011 marching season with nine-hour practices from Aug. 1-12, culminating with an evening preview concert for parents and community members on Friday, Aug. 12.

The 49-member hard working Marching Warriors attended their band camp at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox.

“The band is progressing very well so far. We are asking them to learn more than they have in previous years, and they are meeting the challenge,” stated Cary Ruklic, West Marching Warriors Band Director.

The name of the show this year is “Trapped!” The music was composed by Craig Andrew Fitzpatrick specifically for this year’s band. The drill was written by Nick Lane. The show concept was developed last year by Steve Nedzel, former Music Department Chair and Band Director for Lincoln-Way West who died in an accident this past summer, Adam Rusek, Megan piper, and the rest of the staff.

“The show, ‘Trapped!’ is generally dark and angry and is meant to reflect in a general way what it feels like to be trapped. The Marching Warriors are also learning a separate halftime show this year featuring arrangements of “All I do is Win” and “the Safety Dance,” noted Ruklic.

The Marching Warriors have an active schedule of competitions this year. The final competition of the year is the State of Illinois Marching Band Championship at Illinois State University, on Oct. 29.

The band will also travel to Ohio for a Bands of America show, and compete in the Lake Park Lancer Joust, the Chicago land Marching Band Festival at Wheeling High School, the Prospect Knight of Champions, and the Illini Marching Band Festival at the University of Illinois, as well as represent the school in several community parades.

“Our season will formally end Nov. 1 with our indoor, Marching Warriors in Concert event in the West Auditorium at 7 p.m.,” noted Ruklic.

“I am very proud of the students and what they have accomplished so far,” stated Ruklic.