Niles West Band Will Play at Sugar Bowl

The Niles West High School marching band was one of a handful from across the country to be selected to perform during the halftime show of the Allstate Sugar Bowl this year.

The Wolves’ musicians will perform classics like Prima’s “Jump, Jive, an’ Wail” and “Sing, Sing, Sing” during a jazz-themed halftime show for one of college football’s four major bowl games, according to the Skokie Review.

Thirty-five students will make the six-day trip to New Orleans later this month to play in the New Year’s Day show.

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, a stadium that has been home to the Sugar Bowl for decades and hosted a few Super Bowls as well, will be quite the stage for many band members to make their first out-of-state performance.

“For most of my students, this will be their first time performing outside of the state,” Justin Johnson, band director, said. “What’s really exciting for us will be wearing our Niles West uniforms on live TV.”

Count Sophomore Chris Witt as someone who knows the stage.

“I think this is a pretty big deal because it’s an important football game,” he said. “This will be the biggest audience I’ve ever played for.”

more via the Skokie Review