The Grayslake Centr

al band has made Illinois Super State for the first time in program and school history. This major achievement arrives at a bittersweet time for the band, as seniors just had their last band concert, the Spring Band Concert, at Grayslake Central on Thurs. April 30, 2026. There were many major moments at the annual showcase, including a performance of an original piece and a state soloist, making it a memorable event for the Class of 2026.

The concert kicked off with the Jazz Band. The soloists played great and included two vocalists in the show to keep the audience on their toes. During the second song, “Argne Drank,” GCHS senior and guitarist Will Sykes got up and conducted the band for the piece. When asked about getting to conduct the jazz band, Sykes said “It was cool because I got to see peoples faces and got to communicate with them in a different way.”

During the band’s performance, one of the songs was a world premiere piece by Oliver Talukder, the younger brother of band director Kamal Talukder, titled “Canción y Marcha.” He also performed a phenomenal oboe solo in the piece. Oliver is an oboist for the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and has performed with many major ensembles.

Oliver Talukder plays the oboe on “Canción y Marcha” at the 2026 Spring Band Concert.

During the wind ensemble performance the band played probably their most complex piece so far, according to senior Howard Goemans. “It’s really stretching the capabilities of our ensemble, and I believe that’s resulted in a large payoff with how good it sounds,” Goemans said.

Right before the finale, Will Sykes, this time on clarinet, played his solo that he made ILMEA State for, and it was amazing. The finale was the entire band playing together and the final note was a great way to end the class of 2026’s band career at GCHS.

Grayslake Central band’s Wind Ensemble leaves May 8th for the state competition.