Over 40 Years of "Letting our Light Shine"Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin was organized in 1978 to provide a musical marching experience for the students of three Lutheran high schools located in eastern Wisconsin. In more recent years, Lutheran Vanguard has had an average enrollment of 60 students from eight Lutheran high schools. The Wisconsin cities represented include Appleton, Jackson, Lake Mills, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Onalaska, Somers and Watertown.
LVW celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2022! It is easy to look back over the past 45 (and counting!) seasons to see how the Lord has so richly blessed our efforts. LVW has provided a great summer activity within which hundreds of youth have enjoyed each other’s Christian fellowship. Not only that, but the performance level that LVW has been able to reach every single year is a testament to the wonderful character of the students involved, as well as the staff and other parent volunteers. LVW has also remained one of the premier marching units in the entire Midwest, while at the same time keeping focused on doing all to God’s glory. |
LVW Logo 1990-2006
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LVW Logo 2007 - Present |
Who is Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin?Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin is a competitive marching band made up of students from nine Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod member high schools:
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Participation in Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin is open to any student who is regularly enrolled in the band program of one of
our member schools. This includes seniors who will be graduating at the end of the school year. In addition, students at other
WELS high schools or public high school students who are enrolled in band and are a member at one of our member school’s
federation congregations may also participate. Eighth grade students who are enrolled in one of our member school’s grade
school band programs may also participate with the approval of the high school band director.
our member schools. This includes seniors who will be graduating at the end of the school year. In addition, students at other
WELS high schools or public high school students who are enrolled in band and are a member at one of our member school’s
federation congregations may also participate. Eighth grade students who are enrolled in one of our member school’s grade
school band programs may also participate with the approval of the high school band director.
Where have we been?
Over our history, LVW has performed or appeared in Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Wyoming, Alberta, and Ontario.
All our success, however, is governed by one basic philosophy:
All that we do is done to the glory of God!
All our success, however, is governed by one basic philosophy:
All that we do is done to the glory of God!
LVW has established an outstanding record in parade and field competitions. Some of its awards include:
- First place in the 1986 Atlanta 4th of July Parade
- Three-time champion of the Three Rivers Festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Most Outstanding Band at the 2000 and 2002 Summer in the City Festival in South Bend, IN
- Nine-time parade champion in Sun Prairie and Oregon, WI
- Grand Champion of the National Cherry Festival Parade in Traverse City, Michigan, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2016, 2017, and 2018.
- The 1992 Grand Champion of the Calgary Stampede Parade in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Grand Champion of the 1994 VP Fair Parade, St. Louis, Missouri
- Grand Champion of the 1995 and 2001 Pittsfield, Massachusetts 4th of July Parade
- Grand Champion of the 1995 Minneapolis Aquatennial
- First place in Class A at the 1996 National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan
- 2018 Honors include 1st Place at the National Cherry Festival and Mayor’s Award in the Wauwatosa July 4th Parade