Marian trumpet player Elizabeth Lukacek warms up before the band's march down Pennsylvania CNS/Reuters

Marian band soaks up inaugural atmosphere

Washington — They may have come to Washington to play in the inaugural parade, but many of the students from the Marian High School band thought the city itself was the most exciting part of the trip.

More than 240 students from the Catholic high school in Chicago Heights spent nearly two full days aboard seven buses traveling halfway across the country for a three-day visit to Washington.

The band was the only parade entry from Illinois and the only one from a Catholic school. They had only about two weeks’ notice of their invitation to participate in the parade.

As they traveled around the capital sightseeing the day before the swearing-in ceremony and parade, several members of the band talked about their adventure.

“This is the biggest thing I’ve ever done,” said freshman baritone player Joe Biribauer, adding that he was most looking forward to that morning’s tour of the Capitol building, but had also enjoyed visits to monuments and museums the day before and thought the parade would be memorable.

Marian High was selected to represent Illinois after the school won the 2000 Illinois State Championship and the Bands of America National Marching Championship in November, beating 87 other bands from around the country, said trumpet player Elizabeth Lukacek.

Biribauer and a third freshman member, Andy Rodriguez, agreed with Lukacek that the Nov. 11 Bands of America competition was far more intimidating than the prospect of a presidential inaugural parade.

“But we’re going to be there in front of the president,” Rodriguez said, explaining that he was excited about the main event of the trip even if it wasn’t quite the musical challenge the competition was.

None of the three is particularly a fan of President Bush, they said, but they agreed that participating in a bit of history was important no matter who the president.

“Just being here is an honor,” Lukacek said.

A little farther back in the bus, senior Robert Cole was of a different political opinion, and was especially psyched up about whose inauguration it was. “I love Bush,” Cole said. “I like the way he focused on issues.”

Nearly one in seven of the school’s 1,600 students is in the band. Marc Whitlock, the band’s associate director, said every member who wanted to go was able to make the trip, which cost about $320 per person. Some costs were covered by fund-raising and donations, such as a personal contribution from Gov. George Ryan.

—Catholic News Service