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 (36 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, 2026 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA State Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating (15 times)1959 (David Kearney, Director)
    • 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 (Bill Wittman, Director)
    • 1993, 1994 (Chris Heidenreich, Director)
    • 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA Professional Development Conference Performance1997
  • 38th Annual Bowling Green New Music Reading Clinic Performance1996

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 Rating2011 (Bart Pickenpaugh, Director)2015 (Benjamin Factor, Director)
  • OMEA State Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating2015 (Benjamin Factor, Director)

Freshman Band

  • OMEA District Adjudicated Event – Superior Rating1980, 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 Awards2025 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 Performances1985, 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 YorkNovember 1978
  • Browns-Bengals Game Halftime PerformanceDecember 5, 1971
  • Orange Bowl Performance – Miami, FloridaJanuary 1968
  • Browns-Steelers Game Halftime PerformanceNovember 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 Performances1981, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1996, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2018
  • Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Performances – Chicago, Illinois1985, 1990, 1999
  • Music Educators National Conference (MENC) Regional Conference Performance5 times
  • National Conference of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Performance
  • American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Performances1993 and 2001
  • National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Performances1997, 1999, 2004, 2014
  • Kiwanis International Convention Performance1996
  • Piccolo Spoleto Festival Performances – Charleston, South Carolina2007, 2009, 2016, 2022
  • Rotary International Convention Performance – New Orleans, Louisiana2011
  • Celebration of V-E Day 50th Anniversary – Orenburg, RussiaMay 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)