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ABOUT THE NORMAL WEST BANDS

The Normal West Bands have established a strong tradition of high achievement and excellence.  Normal West High School is home to five concert bands, two jazz bands, a competitive marching band, orchestra winds, musical pit orchestra, color guard, winter guard, and a number of smaller ensembles such as flute choir, clarinet choir, brass choir, and percussion ensemble.  The Bands' performance resumes include performances at prestigious events and venues throughout the country.
The Normal West Wind Ensemble has performed at:
 

  • The Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia

  • Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, Chicago, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

  • Carnegie Hall, New York, NY

  • The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

  • The Northshore Concert Band Festival of Music on the campus of Northwestern University

  • The University of Illinois Superstate Festival, Champaign, IL

  • The Illinois State University Twin City Band Festival, Normal, IL

  • The Western Illinois University Showcase of Bands, Macomb, IL

  • The Southern Illinois University BiState Festival, Edwardsville, IL

  • Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference, Peoria

  • Disney World and Universal Studios, Orlando, FL

  • The Capitol Building and Lincoln Monument, Washington, D. C.

  • Norwegian Cruise Lines, Nassau, Bahamas​
     

The Normal West Marching Band's achievements include:
 

  • 2017 Sugar Bowl Parade and Field Show Grand Champion

  • The 2008 Class 4A State Championship

  • Multiple appearances in State Finals

  • The 2008 Greater St. Louis Silver Division Championship

  • Three appearances in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Festivities, Phoenix, AZ

  • Three-time finalist at the Fiesta Bowl National Band Championships, AZ

  • Bands of America Regional Finalist and Regional Class Champion

  • Bands of America Grand National Championships Semi-Finalist

  • Performances in the Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN; the RCA Dome, Indianapolis, IN; the Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO; the University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix, AZ; the Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, KY; The Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL; the Corn Crib stadium, Normal, IL; and the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, Springfield, IL

The Normal West Bands have also performed at:
 

  • IHSA State Contests
  • ​Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
  • Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
  • Bradley University, Peoria, IL
  • VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, IL
  • Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, OH
  • Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
  • Six Flags St. Louis, MO
  • Heritage Festival Medieval Times, Schaumburg, IL
  • Metamora, Hersey, Plainfield, and Lemont HS Concert Band Festivals, IL

The Normal West Jazz Bands have performed at:
 

  • The Illinois Wesleyan University Jazz Festival
  • The Bradley University Jazz Festival
  • The Northern Illinois University Jazz Festival
  • The New Trier High School Jazz Festival, Winnetka, IL
  • The Evanston Township High School Jazz Festival, IL
The Normal West Chamber Ensembles have performed at:
 

  • A variety of community outreach and public service events

  • The Illinois Education Association Member Assembly

  • The Music for All Chamber Music National Festival

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