With crowd-pleasing performances of “New York, New York” and marching formations that reflect city life, this year’s show is getting attention, said Andrew Steinke, high school junior and band president.
“I really like the concert this year. It seems to be going well with the football crowd and the judging crowd,” said the 16-year-old saxophone player.
Steinke said the band’s strength is perseverance, as some band members — while enduring injuries and sickness — haven’t missed practices or performances.
In addition to performing on Friday nights, the band will compete at six events plus the Band of America competitions in Indianapolis, said Pat Cieslak, president of the band parents association for grades five through 12.
Cieslak, who played percussion in high school and college and has two daughters on the Lebanon band, said there are more competitions now for high school bands, and more focus is put on fundraising. The parents association raises money to buy music for all the grades, provide clinics for the lower grades and pay for instruments and repairs. Cieslak said what’s left is put into an account to be used four or five years from now to buy new uniforms.
Cieslak’s daughter, Stacy, has been part of the band program for three years. She said this year’s show is “one of the best I’ve ever been in.”
Stacy, who plays the clarinet, said she enjoys being part of the band because everyone looks out for each other.
“I like that we’re really close. We’re like a family,” she said. “We have a lot of fun, even when times are hard.”
The band’s next competition is Friday, Oct. 2, at Loveland High School.
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