Morton High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday at The Dome at America’s 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’s top competitive marching bands.
For many local bands competing, including Edwardsville High School, this weekend’s contest will cap their regular season. If they’re 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’s Marching Tigers, feels hopeful about the band’s preliminary run of their show “Origins of E-vil” — a comic book-esque take on villains that include music from composers like Peter Gabriel and Danny Elfman.
“It 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."
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Edwardsville High School senior Andrew Lilienkamp warms up before the band’s 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’s 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 runs through Saturday night at the Dome at America’s Center. Tickets are available at the stadium's box office.
See photos from the competition below:
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Mascoutah High School freshman Charleena Hale rehearses before performing on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Mascoutah High School color guard captain Andriana Williams gives a pep talk before her band’s performance.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Romeoville High School teacher Robin Czajowski embraces freshman Eli Olszta.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Fox High School Marching Band waits to perform.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Fox High School Color Guard assembles for a portrait before performing.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
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.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Romeoville High School band members walk the warmup lot before their performance on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Fox High School senior Maggie McAllister warms up.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Edwardsville Marching Tigers junior Arabella Kirbach warms up alongside the band's brass.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Edwardsville Marching Tigers low brass go through their pre-performance good luck rituals on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Fox High School Color Guard listens to a preperformance pep talk on Friday in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
St. Pius X High School's band performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Murphysboro High School’s drum major Maddie Puncher salutes.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Murphysboro High School was one of the bands competing in the Bands of America Super Regional.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Windsor High School student throws out arms decorated in feathers.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
A flutist from Mascoutah High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
A woodwind quartet with Morton High School performs their show "Spinning Out!" on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Morton High School's band performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Triad High School's drum major salutes before the band's performance at the Bands of America Super Regional in downtown St. Louis.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Triad High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
An Edwardsville High School drum major has her hair go flying after cueing the band on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Edwardsville Marching Tigers perform during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
An Edwardsville High School color guard member performs on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Edwardsville High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
An Edwardsville Marching Tiger color guard member performs on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
An Edwardsville Marching Tigers drum major tears up while performing during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Edwardsville Marching Tigers sophomore Esteban Gomez Garcia embraces senior Colin Dexter after their preliminary performance on Friday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
A vibraphone is reflected off of a Belleville West Marching Maroon's glasses.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Belleville West High School color guard performs their show "The Vibe Room" on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Rockwood Summit Silver Falcon Marching Band performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
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St. Louis Public Radio
Collinsville High School competes during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Collinsville High School competes during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Collinsville Marching Kahoks perform during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Collinsville High School junior percussionist Carly Havens, left, embraces senior sousaphone player Ember Breeding after their performance on Friday.
Brian Munoz
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St. Louis Public Radio
Bands of America Super Regional trophies gleam on display on Friday at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.
