Flags spinning, mallets playing on time, and emotional performances on the stage: The Lincoln-Way Winter Guard and Indoor Drumline celebrated with a successful end to their season. Each team dedicated many hours of their personal time to create phenomenal shows.

The indoor drumline’s show, “Sanctuary,” under the direction of Tim Berg, competed in the 2022 Chicago Percussion Regional. “Sanctuary” was a fast-paced show with adventurous elements, as it was inspired by the video game Kingdom Hearts. The drumline told a story through their choreography and music about the journey of obtaining a keyblade. The audience was engrossed with the intense rhythm from the drumline that synchronized with the melody from the pit. In movement two of the performance, the journey came to its conclusion as a member carried the keyblade in triumph. The indoor drumline placed 3rd with a score of 68.1 in Percussion Independent A class. West marimba player, Levi Christopherson, happily said, “I really feel like I’m a part of the start of a legacy. In the groups that performed in 2018, it was an amazing start to our program. Now in 2022 that we’re competing with other groups, I’m so glad to be a part of it. I started off the show and set the tempo for the very first competing year. Every time I think of that, it feels so surreal, and I can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Also sharing a successful season, the winter guard won many awards and moved the audience with their touching performance. “Hallelujah,” under the direction of Tammy Kalivoda, is a unique show in both music and technique. The first thing that can be noticed in music is that there’s no tempo. The guard would rely on each other to be synchronized. After long rehearsals and plenty of hard work, the execution of the show was flawless and moving. In four local competitions, the guard won 1st in Scholastic A and won 1st and the title of Grand Champions of Scholastic A in the Midwest Color Guard Circuit Championship. All their training and competing led up to their biggest competition in Winter Guard International. Going against 99 schools in their class, the guard won 1st in Round 1 in both Prelims and Semi-finals. From starting in the Cintas Center to the Nutter Center, the guard performed for the last time together in finals at the University of Dayton Arena. They placed 9th at WGI Finals, and the season ended with tears of happiness. East senior guard member, Ellie Gentry said, “There are unlimited words to the emotions this activity has put me through. Blood, sweat, tears, pain, joy, fear, and pride. I poured my soul into you, and you molded me into a better person. You showed the shy and afraid freshman that I once was how to grow, foster her strength, and let her shine. I stepped onto a floor I had only heard rumors of, performed in a world championship final, and watched my prayers become answered. Lincoln-Way, ever true, thank you.”

The 2022 Winter Guard and Percussion seasons were amazing and successful each in their own way. It’s been a bitter joy for the seniors leaving, and a determined outlook to continue the legacy for members who are returning next year. This has been a year to remember.

View percussion performance here: LW Percussion Performance