Lake Central High School is located in St. John, Indiana. With its proximity to Chicago, the school is classified as being in the Chicago Land Area. Located only thirty miles from the Magnificent Mile, many of the Lake Central Band Members’ parents work in Chicago and commute back to their northwest Indiana suburban homes. Lake Central has had a long tradition of excellent marching bands dating back to the early 1960’s. From 1961 to 1976, the Lake Central Marching Band was ranked the top band in Northern Indiana 13 of 15 years. In more recent years the band and color guard have distinguished themselves in the concert area, jazz idiom, winter guard activity, and dance and pom categories as well.

In 1993 the Lake Central “Tribe of Pride," (the marching band nickname), was featured on the NBC “Today Show” in an article about the fine arts. It focused on the continued support of fine arts programs in the mid-west. The marching band was also selected as one of the ten bands from around the country in 1994-95 to be featured in the King Orange Bowl Parade.

The marching band has been an Indiana State Marching finalist for four out of the last five years. They also have been a “Bands of America” Mid-West Regional Finalist for the past two years and a “Bands of America Grand National Semi-Finalist in 1996. The Symphonic Concert Band and Wind Ensemble have consistently received 1st division ratings for the past five years at the Indiana Concert Band Festival. The two Lake Central Jazz Orchestras have also received 1st division ratings as well.

Over the past five years the band has performed with world renowned solo artist such as Allen Vizzutti, Brian Bowman, Steve Kujala, Harvey Phillips, and Dale Underwood.

The Centralettes, (color guard), are the reigning Indiana State Dance and Pom State Champions. The Centralette Dance Team is undefeated in three years of competition and have held the State Crown from 1995-1997. The Winter Guard which is another part of the Centralettes has been an Indiana State Finalist for the past five years, and a WGI Mid-West and Mid-East Finalist in 1997.

The newest ensemble at Lake Central, the “Percussion Ensemble” has drawn a loyal following of its own. The have their own class and have been competing in the Indiana Solo and Ensemble contest for the past two years. This past year they went to state solo and ensemble and received a perfect score. The plan for 1997-98 is to become involved with the new Indiana State Percussion Association.

The Lake Central “Tribe of Pride” is very excited to be a part of the Fiesta Bowl Festival of Bands and Fiesta Bowl Parade. They are looking forward to meeting and being a member of such a distinguished gathering of great marching bands.