Marching bands dazzle at St. Louis Bands of America competition

Arts

Photos: Marching bands dazzle and delight at St. Louis Bands of America Super Regional

漏 2024 外网天堂 | By Brian Munoz

Published October 25, 2024 at 3:01 PM CDT

Updated October 26, 2024 at 12:35 PM CDT

Morton High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Morton High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center.

Thousands of high school students from across the United States are in downtown St. Louis for the Bands of America Super Regional Championship.

For many schools, the super regional is a test run to compete in the Bands of America Grand National contest later this month. That Indianapolis-based championship is the culmination of the season for many of the nation鈥檚 top competitive marching bands.

For many local bands competing, including Edwardsville High School, this weekend鈥檚 contest will cap their regular season. If they鈥檙e among the top 14 bands in preliminary completion, they will retake the field for finals Saturday evening.

Andrew Lilienkamp, a senior mellophone player for Edwardsville鈥檚 Marching Tigers, feels hopeful about the band鈥檚 preliminary run of their show 鈥淥rigins of E-vil鈥� 鈥� a comic book-esque take on villains that include music from composers like Peter Gabriel and Danny Elfman.

鈥淚t was honestly probably the best run I've ever had at this school," he said. "The work that we've put in this season has been incredible. [...] I have a rush of emotions going on right now. I can't believe it's over."

Edwardsville High School senior Andrew Lilienkamp warms up before the band鈥檚 Bands of America Super Regional preliminary performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Edwardsville High School senior Andrew Lilienkamp warms up before the band鈥檚 Bands of America Super Regional preliminary performance on Friday.

Lilienkamp said marching band has given him a second family and he hopes to be able to continue participating in the performing arts in college. As he concludes his high school marching band journey he wants people to know that modern competitive marching band is different than what people see at a July 4th parade.

"It's a truly full-body experience," he said. "You're on the ground, you're going up and over, you're moving your arms and legs like you never have before."

Elias Gregory, a senior trumpet player at Edwardsville, shared similar sentiments on the band鈥檚 Friday performance. "It's pretty bittersweet," he said. "I'm happy that the season is over on such a good note."

The Bands of America St. Louis Super Regional at the Dome at America鈥檚 Center. Tickets are available at the stadium's box office.

See photos from the competition below:

Mascoutah High School junior Nick Perrino helps sophomore Vance Kimmel get off a school bus before their Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Mascoutah High School junior Nick Perrino helps sophomore Vance Kimmel get off a school bus before their Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday at the Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis.

Mascoutah High School freshman Charleena Hale rehearses before their Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Mascoutah High School freshman Charleena Hale rehearses before performing on Friday.

Mascoutah High School color guard captain Andriana Williams gives a pep talk before her band鈥檚 Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Mascoutah High School color guard captain Andriana Williams gives a pep talk before her band鈥檚 performance.

Romeoville High School teacher Robin Czajowski embraces freshman Eli Olszta before their band鈥檚 Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Romeoville High School teacher Robin Czajowski embraces freshman Eli Olszta.

The Fox High School Marching Band waits to perform at the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — The Fox High School Marching Band waits to perform.

The Fox High School Color Guard has their portrait made before performing at the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — The Fox High School Color Guard assembles for a portrait before performing.

Mascoutah High School Color Guard Director Lee Allison wipes down the dress of sophomore Isabella Skipper as Stephanie Lowrance gives her a pep talk before performing at the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Mascoutah High School Color Guard Director Lee-Alison Wilson wipes down the dress of sophomore Isabella Skipper as Stephanie Lowrance gives her a pep talk before their performance.

Romeoville High School band members walk the warm-up lot before their Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Romeoville High School band members walk the warmup lot before their performance on Friday.

Fox High School senior Maggie McAllister warms up before the band鈥檚 Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Fox High School senior Maggie McAllister warms up.

Edwardsville junior Arabella Kirbach warms up before the band鈥檚 performance at the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday. — Edwardsville Marching Tigers junior Arabella Kirbach warms up alongside the band's brass.

Edwardsville High School Marching Tigers low brass go through pre-performance rituals during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Edwardsville Marching Tigers low brass go through their pre-performance good luck rituals on Friday.

The Fox High School Color Guard goes through a pre-performance pep talk during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — The Fox High School Color Guard listens to a preperformance pep talk on Friday in downtown St. Louis.

St. Pius X High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — St. Pius X High School's band performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.

Murphysboro High School鈥檚 Drum Major Maddie Puncher salutes during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Murphysboro High School鈥檚 drum major Maddie Puncher salutes.

Murphysboro High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Murphysboro High School was one of the bands competing in the Bands of America Super Regional.

Windsor High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Windsor High School student throws out arms decorated in feathers.

Mascoutah High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — A flutist from Mascoutah High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.

A Morton High School woodwind quartet plays during the school鈥檚 Bands of America Super Regional preliminary performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — A woodwind quartet with Morton High School performs their show "Spinning Out!" on Friday.

Triad High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Triad High School's drum major salutes before the band's performance at the Bands of America Super Regional in downtown St. Louis.

Edwardsville High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — An Edwardsville High School drum major has her hair go flying after cueing the band on Friday.

Edwardsville High School sophomore Esteban Gomez Garcia embraces senior Colin Dexter after their Bands of America Super Regional preliminary performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Edwardsville Marching Tigers sophomore Esteban Gomez Garcia embraces senior Colin Dexter after their preliminary performance on Friday.

Belleville West High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — A vibraphone is reflected off of a Belleville West Marching Maroon's glasses.

Rockwood Summit High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — The Rockwood Summit Silver Falcon Marching Band performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.

Collinsville High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Collinsville High School competes during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.

Collinsville High School junior percussionist Carly Havens, left, embraces senior sousaphone player Ember Breeding after their Bands of America Super Regional performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Collinsville High School junior percussionist Carly Havens, left, embraces senior sousaphone player Ember Breeding after their performance on Friday.

Bands of America Super Regional trophies are displayed on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis. — Bands of America Super Regional trophies gleam on display on Friday at the Dome at America鈥檚 Center in downtown St. Louis.