One of Lake Park’s most exciting traditions, the Lancer Joust, celebrated its 46th year on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Lake Park West Campus’s Monken Field. The event brought together nearly ten marching bands from across Illinois, with one even traveling from Indiana to compete.
Lake Park’s marching band performed its show “To The Light” as an exhibition. Band Director Mr. Michael Lehman explained that the inspiration for the production began almost a year ago.
“The concept started with the idea of bright lights and vibrant colors on the field. Once the color guard costumes were designed, we knew it was going to be an exciting production,” Mr. Lehman said. He said that the show continues to evolve each week, with constant edits to refine both the design and the performance.
Baritone player Matthew Tarullo (LP ‘26) explained that while the band didn’t have the full show finished yet, they “had enough to give a pretty good show.” He also appreciated the chance to see other schools’ performances, calling it “a nice breath of fresh air” compared to last year’s indoor event.
For Mr. Lehman, the Joust is about more than just Lake Park’s own performance.
“My favorite part of hosting the Lancer Joust is seeing all of the other bands. It’s exciting to watch their shows and see the creative things they’re doing. It’s a great honor to host such an incredible event for the visiting bands, their fans, and the entire Lancer Nation,” Mr. LEhman said.
After the competition, the tradition of an exchange brought Lake Park together with Lake Central High School from Indiana.
“We performed for them, they performed for us, and then we got to talk and share food,” Matthew said.
Tuba player Brady Snyder (LP ‘27) added that the exchange ended on a sweet note—“the cookies are important.”
Throughout the day, bands competed for placements, with Prospect High School named Grand Champion. Lake Park, as the host, focused on showcasing its performance and welcoming guests. The event also featured top-level judging, with a panel of professionals from Drum Corps International, Bands of America, and leading college programs.
Mr. Lehman described “To the Light” as “both fun and beautiful. The students are doing an outstanding job, and audiences and judges have really embraced it.”
The Joust continues to be more than a competition. It is a celebration of music, community, and connection.
“Overall, it’s just fun. You get to watch different shows, meet new people, and share what you’ve been working on,” Brady said.
