A holiday tradition played out last week that dates back more than 50 years, back to the opening of Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. It’s not just that Santa arrived to take his place in the Grand Court, he marched in to the beat of the Conant drumline.
“From what I’ve been told, the Conant High School Marching Band has had this role with Woodfield Mall dating back to its opening in September of 1971,” says Conant Band Director Kreg Moorhouse. “The kids love it. It is a great opportunity for our students to be involved in their community and help provide more energy for Santa’s arrival at Woodfield.”
While Moorhouse does not know why Conant was tapped to amplify this tradition, perhaps it has something to do with history. Conant opened in 1964 and its band program was well established when Woodfield opened in 1971, while Schaumburg High opened in 1970, just one year prior to the arrival of the mall.
Either way, Conant band members have held onto their prominent holiday role all these years, with an average of 17-18 percussionists taking part. They wear their marching uniforms, making them look like toy soldiers escorting Santa through the mall.
This year, the members of the co-ed variety dance team from Schaumburg High School — dressed as elves — also performed for the families who surrounded the Grand Court and cheered when Santa took his seat in the Ice Palace.
“The team was so excited to be part of such a festive community tradition,” said Coach Lucia Leone, “especially since they love this time of year.”
For Moorhouse, this was the 17th year he walked with the band to help make way for them. He estimated the drummers picked up the beat this year, winding Santa around the mall corridors in a record 12-minutes.
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