Andrew, L-Way East, Marian Catholic reach national band championships

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Marian Catholic High School's marching band will perform its show, "The Passion Tree," at the national championships Saturday in Indianapolis. | Supplied photo

Updated: December 10, 2011 9:47AM

The marching bands for Marian Catholic, Andrew and Lincoln-Way East high schools will head to Indianapolis this week, competing to become the top band in the nation at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.

Marian Catholic and Lincoln-Way East each won a BOA Super Regional Championship on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Marian Catholic won the Class 2A title and was fourth overall, while Lincoln-Way East won the Class 3A championship and finished seventh, its highest overall regional finish ever.

Andrew performed a week earlier in the Class 5A state championship.

Ninety schools are to compete in the nationals starting Thursday morning. Lincoln-Way East will give its preliminary performance at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, and Andrew at 4:45 p.m. Friday, with Marian Catholic stepping off at 5:15 p.m. Friday.

The semifinals are Saturday, and the top 12 bands advance to Saturday night’s championship finals. The grand champion receives an automatic invitation from the Tournament of Roses to perform in the 2013 Rose Parade.

Marian Catholic’s Marching Spartans have been crowned Grand National Champs seven times, most recently in 2000.

Matthew Bruce