On Saturday, February 24, the LTHS Symphonic Band participated in the Midwest Music Festival, the longest running Concert Band Festival in Illinois. The festival has hosted over 1500 bands in the 38 years since it was founded, and this year’s judges included professors and directors from various universities, including Alex Kaminsky, Dr. James Ripley, and Dr. Laura Rexroth in the Performing Arts Center where LTHS performed. After a spirited afternoon performance, directed by Ms. Anna Mudroch, the band had the opportunity to work with one of the event’s judges in a music clinic, during which the judge praised the band for both their skill and their openness to suggestions. The band was initially slotted to perform in Group II, the middle level of bands performing at the event, but was moved to Group I, the highest level, when one of their pieces was deemed too difficult. However, despite this last minute change, the LTHS Symphonic Band won third place out of the nine bands in their group and thirty bands overall! Congratulations to all of the musicians who made this achievement possible!