The Lakota East High School Marching Thunderhawks have established a tradition of excellence and showmanship earning Superior Ratings in every field competition and Superior Ratings in the OMEA State Marching Band Finals in their 11 year history. With over 220 musicians and color guard, the band has a full, rich sound and rhythmic accuracy and they march with great energy and excitement during each performance. The Marching Thunderhawks are not only one of Ohio’s finest marching ensembles, but is one of the country’s elite band programs, consistently achieving acclimation from audiences wherever it appears.

The band is accustomed to traveling including yearly half-time performances at
high school football games, national and state field competitions and national parades and festivals such as Pacific Life’s Holiday Bowl Field Show (Superior Rating, 2nd Place Internationally), Parade and Half-Time Show, San Diego, CA/ Disney World Electric Light Parade, Orlando, FL to name a few.

Of equal importance are the musical and organizational skills of Director William Thomas and Associate Director Robert Tanis. The Lakota East Bands are a well-rounded national and state recognized music program at Lakota East High School
in Liberty Township, Ohio with three concert bands (Grades 10-12: Symphonic Winds, Class AA; Symphonic Band, Class A and Concert Band); three jazz bands, marching band and color guard and a 50 member pep band that performs for basketball and other indoor events. Mr. Thomas is currently in his 25th year of teaching and his 11th year as Director of Bands at Lakota East. He received his Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University, is a member of
Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, American School Band Directors Association, Ohio Music Education Association and Music Educators National Conference.

Robert Tanis (Associate Director) holds a bachelor's degree in trumpet performance and music education from the Eastman School of Music and a master's degree
from the Schwob School of Music in conducting and music education where he studied with Dr. Robert Rumbelow. Mr. Tanis is in his thirteenth year of teaching
and prior to his appointment as associate director of bands at Lakota East High School, he was the director of bands for two years at a high school in Brownsville, Texas.

The bands draw support from school administration and the parent booster group, The Upbeat Club. This collective support has been instrumental in the band’s success.

We are honored to be a part of the 2008 Waikiki Holiday Parade.