The Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin (LVW) just wrapped up its 35th marching season. LVW is a marching band comprising band students mainly from eight WELS high schools, but is open to any WELS high school student.

This year’s musical theme was “Siyahamba: Marching in the light of God.” Mr. James Neujahr, band director at Fox Valley Lutheran high school (FVL) and head director for LVW, says that not only is the band a great performing group, but “we’ve always had a show that is sacred based and has Christian themes to it. We definitely want the audience to know we’re a Christian band and a Christian youth organization.

“Everything we do is to God’s glory. Our kids wear that on their sleeves . . . literally on their uniform with the cross that we have on the uniform.”

This season included 23 performances in parades and field shows, where the band does routines to its music usually on a football field in a competition.

Each winter, the band begins monthly rehearsals at FVL in Appleton, Wis., followed by a week of intense band camp to solidify the music and marching routine. The band spends the next five weeks performing in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and sometimes around the country.

This year, 61 students were involved in the band, and nine directors helped lead. Neujahr says the students “really enjoy getting to know kids from other schools, forming lifelong relationships, and creating countless memories.”

For more information about LVW, visit its Web site or Facebook page.