The Lewis Cass Marching Kings have been to the state contest for 40 years and they just started their 2023 season a couple weeks ago. The Marching Kings are well-known around Indiana, and they are even known throughout the country having appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in 2015. They are one of the biggest competitors in Class D. The marching band is one of the things Lewis Cass High School has been known for for many years. Coming up on the middle of their season, they are hoping for another state competition appearance.
The Marching Kings have been to the state competition forty times. They have won state ten times, and they have been runner up ten times. Placing first and second in the entire state twenty times is an incredible feat. One of this year’s band captains, Abby Hileman, said “My goal is to win a state championship and push the show to be the best it possibly can.” With this being her last year, she wants to be able to go out with a major win. The two band captains this year are Abby Hileman and Nora Craw. Along with the leadership of Mr. Hinshaw and Mr. Humburg, it is partially the band captain’s responsibility to help the band get another state win. There are also section leaders. Lyndsey Norwood, Faith Abott, and Kyla Bird are this year’s section leaders. They are in charge of helping their sections perform to the best of their ability.
The theme of their show this year is “Crossroads”. It is based on a poem written by Robert Frost. The music for the show is written by well-known composer Don Barret, and the choreography for the show is written by Jack Percival. These men have composed the shows for the Marching Kings for many years. They are partially responsible for the band’s overwhelming success.
The Marching Kings have been on many different overnight trips. One of the biggest trips they have taken was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They were invited to go to New York and play in the parade. They also have been to Disney World in Florida. They usually go to Disney World every few years. After talking to Mr. Hinshaw, he said the band will not be going on a trip this year because they just went on one.
Overall, the band is an integral part of Lewis Cass school culture. Even the people who are not in band still enjoy their performances when the band plays music. Students and their families get to listen at different sporting events and at their competitions. The band members put their entire heart into practicing and performing. They spend their summer outside in the heat practicing during band camp just to better themselves for competitions. They also practice every day during school. The Marching Kings are performing excellent so far this season winning all the captions (getting first) for their contests so far. If they keep performing this great they might be able to pull out their forty-first state championship.
