Missouri news

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

St. Louis Public Radio | By Brian Munoz

Published October 28, 2024 at 6:10 AM CDT

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

The annual contest runs Friday and Saturday at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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."

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

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:

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’s 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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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

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

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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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

Edwardsville junior Arabella Kirbach warms up before the band’s performance at the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday.

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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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’s Center 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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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

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

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

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

A Morton High School woodwind quintet plays during the school’s Bands of America Super Regional preliminary performance on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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

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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

Belleville West High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

Rockwood Summit High School performs during the Bands of America Super Regional on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

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

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’s Center in downtown St. Louis.

Bands of America Super Regional trophies are displayed on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at The Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis.