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.

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.

Winter Band Concert #207Now #band #musiceducation @mainewestband @mainewestfab

 

Tonight, students in the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Techniques performed their Winter Band Concert. The concert took the audience on a thrilling musical journey through the performance of a diverse and dynamic program that showcased their skill and passion.

Bravo to our talented musicians and their director, Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, for an outstanding performance! Thank you to everyone who joined us—your support means the world!

HERE is the concert program.

HERE are more pictures from tonight's concert.

If you were unable to make it, or would like to watch the concert again, please enjoy the livestream of the concert, produced by the students in WMTH and their teacher, Ms. Rebecca Fisher. Thank you, WMTH!

Maine West's Wind Ensemble Shines Alongside the Naperville Winds at Wentz Concert Hall #207Now #musiceducation #band @mainewestband @mainewestfab

 

Last night was an unforgettable evening for the Maine West Wind Ensemble as they took the stage at the prestigious Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College. Sharing the spotlight with the esteemed Naperville Winds, our talented musicians delivered a performance that was both powerful and refined, showcasing the depth of their preparation and passion for music. Their hard work and dedication were evident in every piece, earning them well-deserved applause and making the evening a proud moment for the entire Maine West community.

This opportunity to perform alongside such a renowned group was not only a testament to the ensemble’s skill but also an inspiring experience for our students, highlighting the heights that can be reached through commitment and teamwork. It was a night that will surely resonate with our musicians for years to come, leaving them motivated to continue honing their craft. A huge "thank you" to Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr for providing this performance opportunity to the students!

Thank you to The Naperville Winds for inviting our band, and other bands, to perform alongside you. Your support of music education is appreciated!

More pictures from the performance can be found HERE. 

District 62 & Maine West Band Programs Collaborate at the 2025 Band Festival #207Now #band @mainewestband @d62schools @mainewestfab

 

This morning, we had the pleasure of collaborating with 115 band students from District 62 at the annual D62/MW Band Festival! It was a fantastic celebration of music and collaboration, bringing together our high school and middle school band programs to connect, learn from each other, and showcase their talents in a supportive and inspiring environment. 

Events like these not only highlight the incredible work of our band directors but also foster a strong sense of community and excitement for the arts across all grades.

Thank you so the District 62 Band Directors - Ms. Legutki, Ms. Todd and Mr. Pisello - for your collaboration on this wonderful event!

Thank you to Maine West Band Director, Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr for your organization and leadership of today's festival!

More pictures from today's festival can be found HERE.