Marian Catholic High School Band
3rd Place, 2009 Grand National Championships
4th Place, 2008 Grand National Championships
5th Place, 2007 Grand National Championships
National Champions seven times in the past 25 years.
The Marian Catholic Band program has a reputation as one of the outstanding concert and marching high school bands in the United States. Over the past 20 years, Marian bands have earned many awards and honors. Led by Hall of Fame director Greg Bimm and Assistant Director Bobby Lambert, Marian is known for its strong woodwind section.
Using Légère reeds, Marian Catholic once again had an outstanding season. On November 14 2009, Marian captured 3rd place overall in the finals of the BOA Grand Nationals at the Lucas Oil Dome in Indianapolis. Marian also earned first place in Class AA at BOA Grand Nationals, while garnering first place in AA for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect.
The Marian Band, which will represent Illinois in the Tournament of Roses Parade® on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif., also won its 30th consecutive Illinois Marching Band state championship in Class on Oct. 24 at Illinois State University.
Bobby Lambert (left) and Greg Bimm, Directors of the Marian Catholic Band
The Légère Reeds gave us the full rich characteristic sound we demand, but with much more consistency and reliability. Our advanced students loved the feeling of confidence created by always knowing they had a good reed. Our younger students made instant improvement as they discovered what it is to play on a quality reed. Légère Reeds really work!
Greg Bimm, Head Band Director
As a saxophone player, I was reluctant to the use of synthetic reeds as past experience had always led to poor tone quality and lack of flexibility. However, in using the Légère Reeds and having our students use them exclusively, my mind has completely changed. The full tone quality, flexibility of tone colors, and consistency of quality presents the player with all the tools for successful performance. Range, volume, and color were always as good if not better in comparison with cane reeds. Our younger students excelled quickly with the use of Légère Reeds versus lower quality cane reeds, while our more advanced players found the same accuracy and flexibility they enjoyed with professional cane reeds minus the inconsistency. Reed maintenance is always an issue. With the Légère Reeds, that variable is suddenly taken out of the equation and performance can always be the focus. Our students would use two reeds for five weeks or more with the quality constantly staying true. Out of a box of ten cane reeds, our advanced students would find four at most that would provide the best sounds. Two or three Légère Reeds gave our students the same quality from August until November. Compare those prices!
Bobby Lambert, Assistant Band Director
