Maine West Marching Band Festival A Resounding Success! #207Now #marchingband #marchingwarriors @mainewestfab @mainewestband

 
The 2025 Maine West Marching Band Festival brought incredible energy and talent to our campus on Saturday, October 4th! With a large crowd of enthusiastic attendees, the event was a celebration of music, teamwork, and school spirit.

We were thrilled to host six outstanding visiting bands, each representing their schools and music programs with pride: Evanston Township’s Wildkit Marching Band, the Geneva High School Marching Vikings, the Belvidere High School Marching Bucs, the Prairie Ridge Wolfpack Marching Band, the Crystal Lake South Marching Gators, and the Fremd High School Viking Marching Band. Each ensemble delivered dynamic performances that showcased their discipline, dedication, creativity, and precision.

Maine West’s own Marching Warriors delivered an incredibly strong performance of this year's show, Redemption For an Outlaw! Both the music and visual formations were executed at a high level. The color guard added stunning visual flair, making the show both powerful and memorable. The entire ensemble demonstrated incredible skill, energy, and teamwork, leaving the audience in awe.

The festival was not only a chance to hear incredible music but also an opportunity for students, families, and our community to come together and celebrate the joy of the marching arts. Maine West is proud to provide this stage for both our students and visiting bands to share their talents! A big "thank you" to Maine West Band Director, Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, for all of his planning and organization that made this event a success!

We look forward to next year’s festival and the continued growth of our marching band community!

A massive thanks to our volunteer crew with the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters! Without you - this event could never happen!

HERE is a link to the program.

HERE is a link to a folder full of pictures.

Orchestra Informances Showcase the World of Orchestral Playing! #207Now #orchestra @mworchestras @mainewestfab

Thursday, September 18th, the students in the Maine West Orchestras presented Informances for family and friends. This casual performance gave guests a unique look inside the world of our student musicians! They were invited to sit right among the players, experiencing the sights and sounds from the musicians’ point of view. These informal performances offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how an orchestra rehearses, learns, and performs — celebrating the hard work and creativity of our talented students. Bravo to everyone who made the evening so special!

More pictures from the Orchestra Informance can be found HERE.

Gold Rush 2025! #207Now #schoolspirit #goldrush @mainewestband @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

 

Today, the 2025 Marching Warriors and Choraliers made their 2025-2026 debut at the Gold Rush Assembly! The drumline welcomed everyone to school today with a parade through the building and the energy in the gym during the Gold Rush Assembly was electric! Students and staff came together decked out in gold to celebrate school spirit, highlight our incredible fall athletes and performers, and launch into the year with pride and excitement.

HERE are more photos from today's Gold Rush celebration!

Be sure to come to tonight's football game to see the Marching Warriors perform their 2025 show!

Congratulations to the 2025 Fine Arts Department Senior Award Recipients! #classof2025 #207Now @mainewestfab

 

Congratulations to Nathan, Jaiden and Carter for being the recipients of the Fine Arts Outstanding Senior Awards! You all have elevated our programs because of your work ethic, love for the arts, determination and high standards. Thank you for your dedication to the Fine Arts at West!

Music Awards Celebration 2025! #207Now #musiceducation @mainewestband @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

 

Last night’s Music Awards celebration was a powerful reminder of why the arts matter. We came together to honor the growth, dedication, and incredible talent of our band, choir, and orchestra students. Representatives from each grade level delivered heartfelt speeches, sharing how their experiences in the music program at West have shaped them and why it continues to mean so much.

The evening was filled with joy, pride, and inspiration. From awards for musicianship and leadership to creativity and spirit, each recognition reflected the passion our students bring to every rehearsal, performance, and collaboration. These awards weren’t just about achievement—they celebrated the vibrant community we’ve built through music.

Thank you to our amazing staff, families, and friends for your ongoing support. And to our students: thank you for lifting each other up and making our program stronger, bolder, and more joyful every single day. We’re so proud of you! 

HERE are many more pictures from the Music Awards Night!

Spring Band & Choir Concert #207Now #musiceducation @mainewestband @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

 

Last night’s Spring Band and Choir Concert was a beautiful celebration of talent, collaboration, and growth! Our students filled the auditorium with energy, passion, and artistry, showcasing months of hard work and dedication.

From the powerful harmonies of our choirs to the dynamic performances from each of our bands, the concert reflected the heart of our music program—community, creativity, and excellence. 

As we wrap up the school year, this concert reminds us why music matters. These performances are more than just notes on a page—they're expressions of identity, teamwork, and joy.

Bravo to all who performed! 

HERE is a link to the concert program. 

HERE is a link to a folder of more pictures.

Art Awards & AP Studio Art Exhibit #207Now #art @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2

 

On May 8th, we wrapped up the year with one of our favorite traditions: the annual Art Awards BBQ and the AP Studio Art Exhibit! The evening was filled with laughter, music, grilled favorites, and—most importantly—recognition of the incredible work our student artists have created this year.

Families, friends, and staff came together to celebrate the achievements of our art students in AP drawing, painting, ceramics, digital art, and photography. This year's AP Studio Art exhibit is a stunning showcase of vision, technique, and personal voice—each portfolio told a powerful story. Congratulations to our AP Studio Art students on creating compelling and expertly crafted portfolios!

Thank you to our amazing art teachers for guiding and inspiring students every step of the way, and to everyone who came out to support the arts at Maine West. We’re proud to keep raising the bar and giving our students meaningful opportunities to shine!

More pictures from the Art Awards BBQ and AP Studio Art Exhibit can be found HERE.