For the sixth time in 10 years, a Victor J. Andrew High School band was selected to participate in the state’s premier band festival. Led by Director Mark Iwinski, VJA’s Wind Symphony performed at the recent 2025 University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival, which amounts to the state championship for concert bands.

In addition, for the first time in school history, the T-Bolt musicians were selected as the Class 2A Honor Band and will return the following year for a feature performance. 

The event took place at Foellinger Great Hall in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

VJA played Galop by Dmitri Shostakovich, Deep River by Benjamin Horne, and Over the Moon by Frank Ticheli.

Hosted by the University of Illinois Bands, the prestigious, invitation-only SuperState Concert Band Festival celebrates the top middle school/junior high and high school bands in the state. Taking place in two rounds, the annual event begins with recorded applications that are evaluated by panels of renowned conductors/educators. Approximately 80 ensembles submitted applications, and 24 high school bands were invited to perform at SuperState.

“It’s a huge honor to be selected to participate in SuperState,” said Iwinski. “I’m just really proud of the kids. They play so musically and have a desire to play some of the best repertoire in the best places. They work hard, and it's that culture that has granted them this opportunity.