Lincoln-Way marching bands come together for Fourth

NEW LENOX – Marching bands at all four Lincoln-Way District 210 high schools have combined into one – representing, for one band director, a new unified era for the district.

"We're seizing an opportunity to create some strength and pride in the community," said Christopher Mroczek, one of several directors of the newly unified Lincoln-Way Marching Band.

The community will have a chance to see for itself Monday at the Mokena Fourth of July parade, when more than 300 students will play in the band’s first public performance.

Over the past school year, district officials began the process of transitioning from four schools to three with the closing Lincoln-Way North. The school was chosen last August by the Board of Education to close in an effort to resolve the district's financial crisis. That choice has been the source of controversy, as well as a lawsuit.

“There’s been a lot of pains in our district with everything that is going on. We’re taking this opportunity to do something the community can get excited about and take pride in,” Mroczek said.

Mroczek said the directors wanted to create an experience that would be the same for students district-wide, since many of them worried about the changes coming to Lincoln-Way as it downsized.

District officials said in a news release that discussions of combining all four bands began last fall.

Mroczek and other directors – Bert Johnson, Justin Barnish and Cary Ruklic – came up with the idea to create figurative and literal harmony among the schools and community, district officials said.

The directors polled parents and students on the idea. More than 90 percent of students and 89 percent of parents liked it, according to the district.

While the directors did the majority of the planning for the unified band, Mroczek said parent volunteers helped as well, as did music booster organizations.

“The parents and the community have also been very supportive,” he said.

The idea of unifying the bands was appealing to Emily Bierma, a West student and saxophone player, who said she will have a lot more opportunities in the new band than she would in a single-school band.

She said she’s been able to meet new people that she wouldn’t have at West.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for all of us to be together,” she said.

Gillian Nevins, a Central student in the band’s drumline, agreed.

“So many doors and opportunities have opened for us. We can perform in bigger competitions now that we have more people,” Nevins said.

Mark Norden, another Central student in the drumline, said the unification of the bands is a good way to put Lincoln-Way on the map and meet new people. He was excited about Monday’s performance at the parade.

“I think we’re going to rock it. I think we’re ready to go,” he said.

Although there was friendly competitiveness between the bands beforehand, that disappeared once they became one group.

“I made a lot of new friends so far in just two weeks,” Norden said.

All three students were excited to see what’s in store for the marching band in the future.

“We’re all here for the same reason, and that’s to make this season the best it can possibly be,” Nevins said.

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Mokena Fourth of July parade featuring Lincoln-Way marching band

WHEN: 10 a.m. Monday

WHERE: Wolf Road from LaPorte Road to Granite Drive