Awards and Honors

Symphonic Band

The top concert band at Lancaster High School, Symphonic Band, was known as Wind Ensemble from 2011-2016.

  • OMEA District Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating (35 times)
    • 1959, 1960, 1961 (David Kearney, Director)
    • 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 (Bill Wittman, Director)
    • 1987 (Gary Bailes, Director)
    • 1989, 1990, 1991 (Kim Pretzer, Director)
    • 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 (Chris Heidenreich, Director)
    • 2004, 2005 (Chad McGee, Director)
    • 2009, 2012 (Bart Pickenpaugh, Director)
    • 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA State Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating (14 times)
    • 1959 (David Kearney, Director)
    • 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 (Bill Wittman, Director)
    • 1993, 1994 (Chris Heidenreich, Director)
    • 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA Professional Development Conference Performance
    • 1997
  • 38th Annual Bowling Green New Music Reading Clinic Performance
    • 1996

Concert Band

The second concert band was known as Symphonic Band from 2011-2015 and as Concert Band previously. Concert Band was reinstated for the 2019-2020 school year.

  • OMEA District Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating
    • 2011 (Bart Pickenpaugh, Director)2015 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA State Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating
    • 2015 (Benjamin Factor, Director)

Freshman Band

  • OMEA District Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating
    • 1980, 1982 (Gary Bailes, Director)
    • 2016 (Benjamin Factor, Director)

Commissioned Works for Concert Band

  • “Top Speed”  by Randall Standridge (2025)
  • “Galeabration” by Lisa Galvin (2020)
  • “Repercussions” by Robert W. Smith (2007)
  • “Make a Joyful Noise” by James Swearingen (2004)
  • “Silver Ribbon Chanteys” by James Curnow (2001)
  • “Nightdream” by Timothy Mahr (1998)

The Band of Gold

  • OMEA State Finals Qualifier (44 times)
    • 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 (Bill Wittman, Director)
    • 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 (Kim Pretzer, Director)
    • 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 (Chris Heidenreich, Director)
    • 2003, 2004, 2005 (Chad McGee, Director)
    • 2006 (David Bode, Director)
    • 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (Bart Pickenpaugh, Director)
    • 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA State Finals – Superior Rating (28 times)
    • 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 (Bill Wittman, Director)
    • 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 (Kim Pretzer, Director)
    • 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 (Chris Heidenreich, Director)
    • 2005 (Chad McGee, Director)
    • 2007, 2010, 2013 (Bart Pickenpaugh, Director)
    • 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • Grand Champion Awards
    • 2025 Warrior Legacy Series Marching Competition
    • 2024 Warrior Legacy Series Marching Competition
    • 2021 Warrior Legacy Series Marching Competition
    • 2007 Harrison Invitational
    • 2002 Shawnee Showcase
    • 2000 Anderson Invitational
    • 1999 Lockland Invitational
    • 1999 Tecumseh Showcase
    • 1998 Talawanda Marching Braves Invitational
    • 1998 Anderson Invitational
    • 1997 Norton “Art in Motion”
    • 1997 Tecumseh Showcase
    • 1996 Stebbins Invitational
    • 1995 Amelia “Rhythm in Blue”
    • 1995 Tecumseh Showcase
    • 1993 Marietta Band-O-Rama
    • 1993 Lockland Invitational
    • 1992 Westland Open
    • 1991 Band Expo
    • 1991 Colerain Band Invitational
    • 1991 Tecumseh Showcase
    • 1991 Lexington Festival of Champions
    • 1990 Westland Open
    • 1990 Westerville North Warriors Marching Band Classic
    • 1989 Miami Trace Marching Competition
    • 1989 Athens Band Festival
    • 1989 Claymont Band Round-Up
    • 1987 Bellaire All-American Invitational
    • 1987 Lexington Festival of Champions
    • 1983 Newark Marching Band Invitational
    • 1982 Watkins Memorial Mid-Ohio Classic
  • Walt Disney World Parade Performances
    • 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012
    • December 31, 2015
    • January 1, 2020
    • December 29, 2023
  • National Independence Day Parade – Washington, D.C.
    • July 2014
  • Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – New York, New York
    • November 1978
  • Browns-Bengals Game Halftime Performance
    • December 5, 1971
  • Orange Bowl Performance – Miami, Florida
    • January 1968
  • Browns-Steelers Game Halftime Performance
    • November 1952

Chamber Ensembles

Lancaster High School Chamber Ensembles have received hundreds of Superior and Excellent ratings over the years at OMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest.

Percussion Ensemble

  • OMEA Professional Development Conference Performances
    • 1981, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1996, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2018
  • Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performances – Chicago, Illinois
    • 1985, 1990, 1999
  • Music Educators National Conference (MENC) Regional Conference Performance
    • 5 times
  • National Conference of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Performance
  • American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Performances
    • 1993 and 2001
  • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Performances
    • 1997, 1999, 2004, 2014
  • Kiwanis International Convention Performance
    • 1996
  • Piccolo Spoleto Festival Performances – Charleston, South Carolina
    • 2007, 2009, 2016, 2022
  • Rotary International Convention Performance – New Orleans, Louisiana
    • 2011
  • Celebration of V-E Day 50th Anniversary – Orenburg, Russia
    • May 1995

COMMISSIONED WORKS FOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

  • “Concerto for Piano and Percussion Orchestra” by David R. Gillingham (2003)
  • “Concerto for Percussion Ensemble” by David R. Gillingham (1996)